It's all second hand goods

Starting around 2018 I decided I wanted a dedicated stereo system of listening to music.  I bought older used equipment from craigslist and slowly upgraded each piece as budget allowed.  Selling existing equipment for at least what I paid and adding a little bit for an upgrade when it would make a noticeable difference.  What I would do is buy something I was happy with and enjoyed it for a while.  When I decided I wanted something better I would routinely browse second hand sources like Facebook marketplace and craigslist in search of a deal that would make a worthy upgrade.  The trick was to find quality gear at a good price and have enough knowledge of the market to know if something was a good deal.  Having the freedom to act when a bargain was found was key to building the system over time.  I was an educated buyer.  I went through 3 receivers and four pairs of speakers and eventually purchased a dedicated amp instead of using a reciever - using the receiver as a pre-amp.  All in, I think I've spent approximately 1400 bucks on gear over 5 years.  I've assembled an amazing system for pennies on the dollar.  Here's my question...  since all my gear is used, what do people selling high end gear upgrade to?  My system is of sufficient quality that any upgrade would be a significant expense for minuscule if even noticeable gains in sonic performance.  Maybe people say the same thing about gear I've sold to them.  I don't know.  That's one of the interesting things about the hobby.  As gear is passed from one owner to the next, they're chasing the same thing - perfection in sound reproduction.  Everyone is chasing audio nirvana.  I believe I've found it.  I don't think there is a single compromise in my system.  

I think I'm the second owner of my speakers, second owner of my receiver and third owner of my amplifier.  My previous set of speakers I was the third or fourth owner.  Someone bought them from me.  And for as much as I know, that guy could have sold them to someone else.  Who knows.  One thing I do know is if you purchase good gear it doesn't go down in value.

I stopped chasing gains in performance a year ago.  And can't imagine anything else offering more bang for the buck.

While on the subject - everything in my system is at least 20 years old.  Everything from the speakers to the amp to the receiver to the cd player.  All made around the 1990 - 2000ish.    My car was built in 2004.  Maybe it's all crap and I'm too stupid to know what quality is. I don't know.  

I often tell people I am from a different era.  I don't want all this new fangled technology. I believe most of what is produced today is built with the idea of planned obsolescence.  It's built to last just long enough to the point  when it needs replacing there is something shiny and new that feels like a worthy upgrade.  Is it really a worthy upgrade or just a way to get you to keep spending money?  A never-ending replacement cycle.  My last modern car I bought was a 2016 Acura MDX bought in 2022.  I kept it for less than a year and replaced it with a 2004 Lexus.  The other modern era car I bought was a 2013 Toyota Venza.  The cars I've enjoyed the most were all built before 2010.  2 BMW E46 era cars 2002/2004, a 2009 Corvette and a 2004 Lexus.  All the cars from before 2010 are of superior quality to anything newer I've driven.  Same with audio gear.

Why is that?  Prior to 2010 things were built to last.  Now things are built to be replaced.    Now I'm rambling.  Good night.