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

When you no longer see the brass ring.

Looking at it now, I don't think it is your choice to make. When you have the audionervoso, it is a great rush while it last. I think it's not until things come up in life that THROW you off the merry-go-round that you actually get off.

Two simple rules ...
1. Stop ALL reading of audio gear. No more audio mags or audio internet. Switch to 0% reading and 100% listening. You still wish to read something related to audio? Then stick only to music threads - no gear threads - just music.
2. Never sit to listen critically to others' systems. Sure, go visit and have fun. But don't bring any of your recordings nor play any of the host's which you also have. Therefore, no comparisons will be made, whether conscious or subconscious. And while listening to their system, concentrate on enjoying the music, not the sound.

I am very happy with my set up. BUT, I just read a thread which makes me suspect that my speakers and amps should not match up well. Is it true? Maybe, maybe not. But it got me worrying even though my system sounds great to my ears! Dang it!

Rockadanny, have you ever followed those two simple rules for more than, oh, let's say two weeks? :-)

Another interesting, VERY long term conversation. My own experiences match the OP, in that I did jump ship (mixing metaphors!) for about 15 years (phew!!).

But, I have learnt, and the big learning is, "everything matters". So trite, so obvious, but unfortunately, so true!

My own experience is, no matter what gear you have, if you persist in taking care of smaller, and smaller details of everything that is interfering with the quality of sound, then there is a barrier that you break through. On the other side, the sound is "magic", "real", convincing, all the adjectives. The BIG problem is that you have be fussy, fussy, fussy, over and over again -- that is, there are no magic bullets. It's hard work, very frustating, some gear (but not necessarily more expensive gear!) will make it easier then others.

So, my (OTT!!?) suggestion is that virtually every system out there, as they stand, can be made to sound "real". Believe it or not ... ;-)

Frank