I can relate, and respond, to this. But maybe not concisely, or completely....
Up until about 10 years ago I was quite "connected" in the High End Audio/Audiophile (capital A) world, and- yes. It can be almost worse than a disease. One of the sites I frequented (and was invited to Moderate) was Audio Asylum, and partially due to that site, and the many people I connected with, I went "down the rabbit hole" in a Big Way for about 20 years. Spending $50k on an Audio system was almost considered the "Buy-in" for people I associated with, and I've seen, and heard, systems costing upwards of $300k-$400k.
Which was (and still is) way beyond what I was willing to spend, as the Laws of Diminishing Returns kicks-in pretty quickly, and I'm not made of money.
After two of my best friends, and serious Audio guys, passed away, I reevaluated my Life, and now most of my audio (small A) "systems" consist of either restored jukeboxes or stereo receivers from the 70's and early '80's.
Based on my experiences, and in my opinion: Being a Gearhead is like having the sniffles. Being an Audiophile is like having pneumonia.
