The vast majority pursue the hobby because they love their music.......or have I missed something.
Errol.
Well, Errol, I wish you were right but I've had friends that every time you visit them, something in their system had changed, they play the same tracks & look worried. Made me realise that their equipment wasn't the means but the end in itself.
One could even argue that love of music is inversely proportional to the amount of money someone is willing to spend on HiFi.
Do professional musicians spend serious money on HiFi? I sure some do but I'd not be surprised if many didn't - they don't need to.