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  3. 991962314

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

I'm interested in hearing from or about music lovers who have dropped out of the audio "hobby." I don't mean you were content with your system for 6 weeks. I mean, you stood pat for a long time, or--even better--you downsized...maybe got rid of your separates and got an integrated.

(I suppose if you did this, you probably aren't reading these forums any more.)

If this sounds like a cry for help, well, I dunno. Not really. I'm just curious. My thoughts have been running to things like integrated amps and small equipment racks and whatnot even as I continue to experiment and upgrade with vigor (I'm taking the room correction plunge, for example.) Just want to hear what people have to say on the subject.

---dan
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drubin OP
3,275 posts
 
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.
budrew
467 posts
 
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.
bishopwill
369 posts
 
Buy upgrades only when you can distinguish the new from the old by means of objective, double-blind testing....

(Cutting and running)
gonglee3
304 posts
 
Budrew,

Enlighten us with your great-sound-on-for-not-so-much systems - many want to know.
phd
1,322 posts
 
The merry-go-round is exactly what an audiophile needs to finally come to the conclusion, you need off. As an audiophile I would of never rested or been satisfied without trying different products. In my search I have at times wound up with an inferior system, only to go back to some of the pieces I used to own. It is tough to find that magical synergy match between different brands of components but not impossible. The wealth of information I now posess from the merry-go-round has made it much easier for me now to choose the correct components and be much happier.
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