I’m surprised by how many seem dissatisfied. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time right from my first system through to now even when exploring the occasional blind alleys etc. The key thing for me has been learning and exploring.
As a natural geek I find the whole subject fascinating so after a short while started finding my own way. I’ve always lived in the second-hand market so financially it is just investing really. I’m ahead financially overall and that’s long before factoring-in that I eventually made a career of sorts out of it with this place. As such that’s one big negative just removed, it has never been a money-pit, though I just don’t have most people’s black holes of cars, holidays, drink, kids etc, so I’m not trying to save money either. The rest is just exploring, learning and enjoying, and I’ve no intention of ever stopping.
The past 20 years or so has seen an amazing democratisation of knowledge online that has opened many avenues in rebuilding and restoring the classic kit I naturally gravitate to. There are now hardly any parts of my systems I’ve not worked on in some respect. It becomes far more than just spending money and opening new boxes when you bring a vintage component back from potential fire-risk/landfill to a highly desirable classic ready for another lifetime of service. That aspect is hugely satisfying. I’ve no regrets as even the mistakes (usually down to not following my own instincts) were good learning experience.