I was going through a box of old electronics in the basement, the last time I visited Toronto, Canada. People commented that it was like a historical dig, where you uncovered layers of equipment, one older than the other.I still have Cowon J3 that can play CD quality.
I found my old iAudio X5L player, and a Kindle Keyboard, which had a built in Amazon worldwide low speed data sim. So brought them back with me. After the X5L, I had the Cowon J3.
Those days, I remember as being much more relaxed. I bought a player and used it for years, without the upgrade itch years apart. I think it was a happier time, as most of the time was spent listening to music, and not chasing new DAPs, IEMs, Cables, etc. I'm trying to go back to those times, in part, anyways.
I try to resist getting the newest, best, and set a limit on the price, above which I will not look, or even try.
My recent IEMs have been Raptgo HBB Hook X, KiwiEars Quintet, Fiio FH9, Sennheiser IE500 Pro, TRN BAX. All 2nd hand, older equipment, except the Quintet, which I bought new, so I got them for a large reduction. At the moment, I'm quite enjoying the TRN BAX (2 x EST (2 x Sonion Electret/Electrostatic drivers, 1 x 10mm Dual Magnetic DD, and 1 x Knowles 29689 BA).
So, audio on a budget. So far, I have managed to keep happy with the lower priced equipment that performs beyond expectations, at affordable prices. The trick is to be able to convince yourself that there is no need to keep looking, and just enjoy what you have. Which, if I list out what I already have(not just the recent purchases), is more than enough to make any reasonable person happy.
Ahh, but who ever said audiophiles are reasonable?
New equipment/technology is like a drug. That's why I always thought that we need something like Alcoholics Anonymous, but for audiophiles.
Call it Audioholics Anonymous.
And everybody has to stand up, and admit to the room, at a meeting of the afflicted: "I am an audioholic". I cannot buy just one IEM/DAP/Cable. If I start, there is no stopping. So I cannot start. To date, I have not bought any TOTL equipment for 6 months. I am limited to purchases below US$200, and only can look at the used, deeply discounted market.
Though the recent WM1AM2, and the ZX707 surely don't need to be counted as a breaking of the rules, as I got them for a 40-50% discount?