I didn't find a thread that included this illness. If it gets some response, I'll post photos of my systems and encourage others. I'm fairly modest in my collecting, largely because I also fish a lot, and there's only so much room in my house, and part of it is occupied by my wife, who just doesn't get it. In my searches for various gear I have run into some folks who are really sick with it. I'm talking about several rooms dedicated to equipment, a system in every room in the house, and more in storage. I could not get away with it to that extent, but I kind of understand wanting to hear them all.
My home office system: Sansui 771, Pioneer PL 518 with a Sure 97E, Teac CD player (modern model that allows USB access to the DAC), and ADS L520s.
My den system: Kenwood 7600, Pioneer PL S40 with an AT conical (Model?) a Toshiba DVD player for CD, and some too late to be great Pioneer 3 ways, that need replacing.
I recently came to possess a Definitive Tech monster sub (maybe 15") and an M&K Volkswoofer (almost as big as the DT) that I do not need and would like to trade for a set of decent floor standers or towers. The subs are in great condition but I have not hooked them up to test. I'd also consider trading for a better quality MM cartridge.
Now, a word of encouragement: I understand, there's so much out there you want to hear, and match up. Which receiver would make these speakers sound even better? Is the harshness due to a revealing source and revealing speakers? Maybe if I could find some East Coast speakers it would mellow it out. And then there's the heavy stuff: tubes, mono block amps, $3,000 cables. It's ok. As long as your eating well and still have an interest in sex, you're doing ok.