Hey OP. I'm married but with kids. I personally understand where you're coming from. When I first got into this hi-fi thing four years ago, I kept everything under rug so to speak as my purchases was sourced from my own personal funds. Prior to the hi-fi thing, I owned and rode crotch-rockets. Before I got married nearly a decade ago, I swore to myself that no woman would come between me and my bikes. Well, things change and I sold off my bikes, Vanson leathers, Aria helmets, and tools. I do miss being on one here and there, especially when it's a nice day out, but here in the Seattle, there are too many morons behind wheels. After too many close calls, I let it all go. I look forward to Cayman convertible in the next few years, which I actually got the wife's blessing in exchange for giving up my bikes.
Anyhow, personal health is filled with hobbies that gives up enjoyment. Some are much more expensive then others. My first serious can was the Sennheiser HD600 and I did get some verbal crap from my wife. However, my wife has been classically trained and has a good ear, so a few auditions with my setup, she concurred that it sounded amazing. Then, came all those boxed packages like a tidal wave, and of course more verbal crap.
There were a few days where I wanted to tell my wife to shut the "F*&# up!, and leave my hobby alone - it's my F*&($% money". About two years ago, I had a bad day at work, got little sleep, and another big package came with my brand new RS1. That blew my wife's top and so, we had a short discussion of me reiterating that fact that I gave up my bikes; she has no right to question my personal purchases from my own bank account; I don't have expensive habit like gambling; and my little hi-fi hobby brings me great enjoyment and makes me a better person overall.
We all sacrifice personal things for better or worse to keep the peace when there is another important person involved in our life. If you want to keep a balance of your sanity and keep what little personal happiness we truly have, we need to keep a few hobbies. Otherwise, you'll grow a hard wall of resentment and there's only one outcome when that happens. Smart that you got a prenup.
So, my advice to have a serious talk with your wife and let her know what hi-fi personally means to you and how it has a positive impact to your mental and emotional health - even if means that you have to tell her of the consequences of being deprived of your passionate hi-fi hobby. My wife knows for a fact that I would turn into a disgruntled, mean SOB if I didn't have my personal enjoyments of music and horror flicks now and then.
If you know her favorite songs, force her to listen to your headphone and setup to gain some appreciation with hopes that it can move you emotionally. If the whole price thing is determining factor, let her know that niche hobbies like hi-fi is a balanced investment - meaning the purchase price of your T1 is mostly preserved if you decide to sell it. So, you don't loose much if you need to get rid of few things to purchase meaningful presents or saving up for vacations.
Good luck, man.
