ok i might be biased cos i work for an audiophile music publication (not to self-promote, but it's called 'tracking angle'), but good sound quality will *change your life*. whether it's listening through a good turntable or streaming studio-quality digital files with a good digital-to-analogue converter, it will absolutely enhance the way you perceive and appreciate music. there is a unique joy in listening to a record you've heard a million times and paying attention to or hearing details you've never heard before. and yes, audiophiles are often an annoyingly snobbish crowd, but you don't need to be an argumentative old man (or rich) to have a great audio system and enjoy it every day. there needs to be more age and gender diversity in people who are obsessed with this. happy to answer any questions about good budget setups.