Seems I'm really done!

I do think after an audiophile has a speaker, amp, front end, and room acoustics picked, the audiophile can then make or break those choices with cables, fuses, and A/C outlets.

David, I totally agree with you on this point. I have tried a few different fuses and outlets, and many, many, many cables and cords over the past few years/decades. After decades of trying different cables/cords, I am of the mindset that ANY gear can be made to sound good or bad depending on the cables/cords used with the gear.
I have heard cables sound terrible with some gear, sound fabulous with other gear. I have heard some gear sound terrible with some cables, and fabulous with other cables.

It's all about system synergy and personal tastes, IMHO. I feel so strong about this, that I don't know that I agree with this statement of yours:

 I have tried to report what I have heard as so not everyone will have to repeat the experiment.

While a noble sentiment, I don't know that there is any substitute for personal trial and error. What sounds good to me may not sound good to you, and vice versa. Also, since we are probably using different gear, I tend not to take anyone's opinion as something that will prevent me from running my own "experiments".
I have owned too many highly praised items over the years that did not work in my system to think that anyone can perform an experiment that will save me from having to repeat the experiment. 

I've also learned that if someone is happy with there current sound to congratulate them. I do not try to stir the pot to continue to feed the disease.
I've been perfectly happy with my system a few times in the last 30+ years. I wished I could have learned to stop and just enjoy the music.

It seems every time I'm "perfectly happy" I  get bored after a year or so and try to "better" my system by trying some great new XYZ that the Net and/or Mags rave about, only to screw up my perfectly tuned in sound.
Then it takes me a year or two to dial the sound into where I am happy again, but the cycle will repeat itself.
Sigh.....like a dog chasing his tail, this is what we do for fun.

Hello John,
You posted words of wisdom  based on many years of listening  experience. One pertinent factor for long term contentment with one's system is what is the ultimate objective?  You mention that you were perfectly happy with a system set up but then you become bored. 

If genuinely happy  why the boredom rather than continued happiness with a  well conceived system?  My humble guess is perhaps the goal was perfect sound as opposed to pure music listening enjoyment  and emotional involvement. If the objective is the latter then once reached there should be no sense of boredom.  If the goal is the former then long term contentment remains elusive  (something is always better just around the corner ). I absolutely recognize that for some the pursuit of the unobtainable perfect sound/system is what motivates them. No right of wrong choice,  but people need to define what is their end game. 
Charles, 

Hi David,
We all can agree that actually listening to something is the best method to make a sure buying decision. However this isn’t always practical or possible. I’ve been able to obtain first rate products based on impressions posted by trusted experienced members of this site. The SR Black fuses being the most recent example in my case. Current discussion of the SR Black and Cerious Graphene cords has caught my attention.

Just fine tuning for a system that has been intact nearly 7 years (source, electronics and speakers ). I have no plans to change the system foundation, just tweak it. It's funny but very rewarding that replacing stock AC wall receptacles and component fuses with better quality versions truly matter. 
Charles,

If genuinely happy  why the boredom rather than continued happiness with a  well conceived system?

Good question Charles. I don't know if boredom is the correct word. I know myself, and over the decades I have found that I can remain happy for a longer time if I 'leave' the audiophile community. For me, glossy rags and audio forums drive the desire to upgraditis. That feeling that something new has come along and audio now is better than ever. I feel in many ways, ignorance is bliss. Many folks live for decades very happy with one set audio system. Those folks tend to not read audio magazines or frequent audio forums.

Those who know me know that perfect sound is not my goal, at least not the highest possible resolution. Like any other audiophile, I like to balance the sound to my tastes which lean just slightly to the warmer side of neutral. From what I have read, I would say the majority of members here tend to like more definition and analytical sound then I do. Some like it warmer than I do.

At it's core, I think it is man's nature to be a hunter, finding ways to seek 'better'. Whether that is a better car, job, audio, whatever. I feel that most of us on these forums are hunters, few are happy nesters, at least in the audio realm. I have been married for over 32 years, so I'm not hunting women, or homes, or cars. Audio is an outlet where I find it difficult to settle down though. Eventually, I find my way back to the forums, and soon find the idea churning that I am missing out on something.

Of course not all of my audio happiness has been disrupted by 'boredom'. I have had to disassemble systems I was perfectly happy with due to unforeseen economic disturbances as well. When the well runs dry, many times priorities change. Not fun, but life does go on.