[umeshunni]

> wonder if there is a word for these sort of sub-hobbies or pre-hobbies

In photography circles, we would call this GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome - when people buy a lot of gear and gadgets but hardly use them.

[mindcrime]

Electronics people use this term for collecting Test Equipment as well. Amusingly, on the EEVBlog forums, one of the largest and most active threads of all is the "Test Equipment Anonymous - Group Therapy Thread" which nominally exists to support those suffering from severe GAS.

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonym...

Cyclists too, are notorious for frequently pointing out that the correct number of bicycles to own is always n+1, where n is equal to however many you currently own. :-)

[iamacyborg]

Thankfully, n+1 is much cheaper as a runner than as a cyclist.

[umeshunni]

n + 1 feet?

[adrianh]

This is called Guitar Acquisition Syndrome in guitar culture. :-)

[dhosek]

In musician circles too.

[throwaway426079]

Quite a lot of musical instruments are beautiful objects that you could display. While you could display electronic test equipment, even geeks usually don't.

[dhosek]

There are a lot of rack shots on the Unifi subreddit.

[marban]

I once owned a dozen synths but only ever played a specific one. At least I got rid of all but that one.