Only if you consider enjoying hi-fidelity replay of recordings and enjoying listening to how an amplifier (or some other bit of kit) changes the sound as the same hobby. I don't.
(emphasis mine)
Exactly.
I think we all start off into hi-fi with the original aim of enjoying our music more, but then some get side-tracked to the point where 'listening to the system' (and the changes made to it) becomes the hobby and the original purpose of the system i.e a tool to enjoy music, is forgotten or at best relegated to a secondary endeavour.
There is certainly truth to that. However, it also treads along a similar path of assuming one's own (or a group's value). The purpose of being interested in audio gear spans a large range among individuals. If it were "only about the music" then this forum would be empty, and we'd all be listening via our ear buds, laptops, smart speakers "average stereo systems" or however else non-audiophile/music lovers listen. Clearly there is a range between people for whom the gear may be largely a means to an end - "the music," but there are clearly many for whom the gear itself is a source of fascination - engineers, gear heads, hobbyists etc. If someone's bliss is found in their fascination with the gear more than another person, I don't see any reason to judge them as having "lost the path" or whatever. That would just be from my own criteria, not necessarily theirs. I mean, while I certainly contribute a lot of posts to the forum, there are many here who have put tons more time, energy and brain power in to understanding the technical "how things tick" side of the hobby, measuring things, building things, you name it. In no way would I say they have forgotten what it's "really all about" if that's what turns their crank.
(BTW, that isn't to say that there can't be instances of people getting mired in the technology in a negative way. That would depend on your own psychology, goals and attitude. IF your goal really is to forget about the technology and only be aware of the music, then you can cerrtainly go down a rabbit hole where have undermined your own goal - the forever tweaking or upgrade itches or constant comparisons of gear or whatever. I've been there before).