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

I read that our brain gets used to a sound after awhile, so we can come to enjoy a sensible modest systems like the majority of Europians. Even an esoteric systems can fail to satisfy us at moments, coz we get used to the sound and it simply doesn't "wow" us any more.

So I decided to settle with a system that is:

A) About 70-150 watts per ch amp - discreet and wide current.
Old marantz 2270
Parasound HCA 1000
NAD
Inexpensive tube amp

B) Speakers without listener fatigue that is bit transparent and liquid

Niles audio
B*W
Paradigm
Speaker City
Mission
Tannoy
Athena

C) Soft souning CD player without that steely digitalness
Parasound 88
NAD
Denon DCM 370


D) Silver cables DIY

I have been around live music all my life, and I can enjoy the sound of mid-fi systems. Some of the Hifi components have gone beyond live sound, which is not a bad thing, but if you are looking to creating a pretty realistic sounding system to enjoy music, you can do it for 2k. Just look at all the Europians with an integrated amp and bookshelfs, and they tend to take music more seriously than we (americans) do.

Krell sounds great, but I can't help thinking where have I heard live sound that is that liquid, transparent, and powerful? HIfi has created a new art field in this exciting period we are living in, but music can be enjoyed for less, coz esoteric HIfi has gone beyond live sound. I just wish the CD industry comes up with a durable CD player that matches LP sound - Still less texture in digital. Anyone in the industry, please keep pushing the envelop higher for faster processing of more info. - computer CPU has been getting faster - We can take advantage of this.

Really expensive Cd player doesn't make sense to me at this point, coz LP is still better.

So, to get off your upgrade bug, think about all the musicians who are happy with mid-fi - They say it is realistic enough to be enjoyed. Think about all the Europians with modest systems, and they take art appreciation seriously!

From the files of pop psychology, the actions that are rewarded are repeated almost unconsciously. When we buy a new component, it usually looks and sounds better, and we are rewarded, hence our habit of upgrade is reinforced. Manufacturers tempt us with beutiful looking pieces as if to say you can buy class and gentlemanship here.

So, while I am against constant bank breaking upgrades,
economical tweaks are always fun and educational. One of the benefits of dedication to a hobby is that we learn incredible amount with child like ease... and it's good for our brain, and keeps us young at heart.

You are right, we should get off this constant bank breaking upgrade bug - it will make our loved ones happy... and simply enjoy the music

The problem is, those musicians and Europeans you speak of don't have the disease we have. If we could be content--truly content--with mid-fi systems, I think many of us would be happy to do so.

How does one get off the merry-go-round? Find the system you love, that is, it gets you going, digging the music, it gets you wanting to get into more kinds of music, but whatever tradeoffs it has you can live with 'cause nothing is perfect. The merry-go-round can go on and on, and mine did, but pay attention to what you like and don't like and the lessons you learned. Be aware of these things and keep them in mind. Someday, you'll get there. THEN, you voluntarily get off the merry-go-round and be happy. Things just settle into place and it synergizes. Once you reach this point, don't second guess yourself. Keep in mind all you went through and realize there is no grail. You're already at the end of the rainbow. Now enjoy it for all it's worth.

But, FWIW, there IS a lot to learn and many different design philosophies. Enjoy the quest if you can and have fun. Don't give up too early if you simply don't like it. That final system doesn't have to be expensive either. There is lots of value out there to be found that will give you great sound.

Buy upgrades only when you can distinguish the new from the old by means of objective, double-blind testing....

(Cutting and running)

Budrew,

Enlighten us with your great-sound-on-for-not-so-much systems - many want to know.