Hey Charlie; You're out and about? I became interested when I started working nights and weekends and had kids. I couldn't play live anymore so I started looking around for some good sound to listen to. There was a friend who's father ran a used stereo store so we would get to listen to lots of stuff. The sad thing is I could have kept the equipment I had as a beginner and been just as well off. My concern now is at the point where I can begin to understand how things work I just might become too old to participate and enjoy the whole concept. Building isn't fun when your eyes can't see small objects and your hands can't grip little tiny parts.