Perfectionist Audio

I second Ivan's POV and Elizabeth's as well.

It's been difficult, financially, to assemble what I want which led to the 'read, read, read' part of the equation, which led to a kind of enlightenment coupled with a temperament and discipline, of sorts. Seeing that I'd never achieve what I thought I wanted led to my settling for what I could afford: the old fox and the sour grapes. It was only then that I realized that component wise, I really can't do better save for the occasional tweak.

Now that I've gotten the video bug and been researching LEDs and Plasmas, I've not gotten the chance to listen to my system for about a week and a half so I put on some music and was blissfully floored by what I heard. It's all still there, but it took a sabbatical, of sorts, for me to appreciate. During the time off I barely paid attention to review sites like this one and that was all it took to break the spell, for now (that enchantress is always at work).

As pointed out, it's one thing to read about the perfect piece of equipment, another to need it. Reviewers needs to keep up is fine and good and so is the passenger aspect for the rest of us. What we all need to do is separate ourselves from the process and know when to exit the ride. We've already paid our fare, so it's time to move on and enjoy the music.

There will always be another, we can only have one, at a time. We must be faithful to our choices lest we get distracted and loose site of the music.

All the best,
Nonoise

since components are imperfect, perfectionist audio is unattainable.

Perfect is when I get what I have to sound it's best. Mind you I have upwards of 20+ amps, 3 pre-amps, 3 pairs of speakers and I'm in the midst of my first speaker building project. I've never owned or read a stereo mag however I have read the odd review here and there since I've been involved with Audiogon. My first and long term system I listened to for 20+ years and then the internet came around. All the stuff I have is through user feedback via google. I love comparing attributes of different gear. This is after all a hobby. So for me it's not a matter of settling down, it's ongoing. But I'm with the OP in that I don't expect perfection. God forbid! That would put the kaibosh on it pretty quick wouldn't it. I remember the past always bringing consensus with lots of absolutes though.

Ivan, you my friend are sensible. Perfectionism is ridiculous in most things including audio. My theory is that the concept may have had its genesis in the original description of the compact disc, "perfect sound forever."