How does one get off the merry-go-round?

Gunbunny, your post hits home with me. I own two custom made Tad Kohara pool cues. Two early 1980's custom Les De Asis Balisong knives. A Beretta 92 Border Marshall, a Springfield Armory 45, a Desert Eagle and a Benelli M1 Super 90. And I shoot LESS than you. But this audio bug is the absolute worst. This merry-go-round is making me dizzy.

you know what's worse.... when you do all this research, spend all this money only to realize you made a mistake. I have a Toshiba 57HX81 widescreen TV that is just too damn big for my room. It wouldn't be if I didn't have a nice sofa and chairs, not to mention a coffee table.

I've been searching for speakers for the past 4 months. Last night I almost said "freak it" for lack of better word I can't say on here. I thought I had found my speakers only to relaize that they're rear ported and require significant room to breathe, which my room has no more of.

Since you seem to be into guns. I guess I should also noted the Remington M700 synthectic .300 mag with McMillian stock, custom bedded, fluted barell, and Swavorwski scope. Also a 30mm, helmet sighted chain gun, but that really belongs to my employer.

I got off the merry go round after attending a Stereophile show and met some of the circus clowns. Just because so and so uses this or that as a reference or purchased an item means nothing to me now! Most are over obsessed babies when you disagree with them. In ten years time there won't be a high end audio as the hobby does nothing to perpetuate new/younger people to participate. I have more than adequate
high end system (built around Quad ESL'S) but now concentrate on my real passion, record collecting, and, listening. And, having fun!!

Trebleclef, we must be brothers in arms! The Quads are the centre of my system as well, I hunt after good music on Lp and CD, I'm having fun and in the course of the years, to borrow a phrase of Sean's, have turned from audiophile to music lover. Interesting your remark, that the hobby might die out with us. Here I am less pessimistic than you seem to be, because surely there will always be folks ,who love music and who will try to recreate it in their homes, like we do.

Well Detlof, my experience is the opposite of yours, gone from music lover to audiophile, that is as of late. I'm spending too damn much money and time on this gear business but then again I am rediscovering the music I already have and am very happy, for the time being. How long does it last before the next tweek/big purchase? Seems to be getting shorter as the compulsion grows. This audiophile business is an addiction I'm afraid. And this site sure doesn't do anything to remedy it.