Lately I’ve been listening to some old albums again with better headphones, and it feels like I’m hearing them in a new way. Vocals and instruments sound much clearer with a decent setup.
Do you guys focus more on upgrading gear, or do you just enjoy the music no matter what equipment you’re using?
Welcome, Alexa. For me the music has always been the most important,
even with gear from years ago. However, as you have discovered,
better equipment can reveal more of what that music has to offer.
It’s always a treat to have that happen, whether it’s more detail, clearer
vocals, a better sense of depth and presence, etc. If the new piece(s)
of gear makes your music more enjoyable then mission accomplished!!
Caveat…Upgrade-itis can be habit forming…and expensive! 
Welcome! It’s a great time to get into the hobby since technology has gotten so good and inexpensive at the same time. Anyone can get an $18 pair of Truthear Gate IEMs and get the sound of $400 headphones using a $9 Apple 3.5mm USB adapter. Upgrading is fun, but there’s the law of diminishing returns after a few hundred dollars. No need to melt down a credit card like even 10 years ago.
Welcome, Alexa.
Music always comes first, but if I can find a better vehicle within my budget to deliver it to my ears and brain, then I’m all over it!
Welcome aboard!
Much like you, after my first real round of upgrades I was impressed at how much new listening there was to do with music that was apparently not as familiar as I had thought it to be.
Soon, however, I learned the distinction normies make when pointing to us; “most people use their audio equipment to listen to their music - audiophiles are backwards, they use their music to listen to their audio gear”. - there is a truth and a warning in that statement. It is real easy to let the new detail, depth, staging, imaging, clarity, and realism all capture your attention, ultimately distracting you from the music itself. You don’t have to fall prey to that trap, but it’s an easy one to fall for.
And next comes GAS - gear acquisition syndrome
I love those rare ocasions when after an upgrade you hear something you never heard before in your favorite music - be it something in a lyric that was missed, a percussive element - it’s always exciting to discover something new in the music.
GAS hits people in different ways. I like cables, mainly for aesthetics. I can never have too many types of eartips in my Magic Box Of Eartips since sometimes it is magic when a particular type of eartips pairs extremely well with a given IEM.
Agree on both counts. I have actually heard a slight change in sonic presentation after a headphone or IEM cable upgrade, but it is more for the aesthetic and wearability aspects, which can also enhance the experience. As for interconnects, I use Mogami cables because I know this is a quality cable that is well built and delivers excellent sound every time.
Ear tips actually have a bigger impact on performance. I never realized this until I decided to try experimenting. Ear tips definitely matter!