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

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.

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.

Do you get more excited about a new CD/LP or component? If the components are more interesting than the music it is hard to get off the upgrade wagon. I was looking through the Music Direct Catalog which sells everything from Creek to exotic stuff. They also sell audiofile quality music and classic music by the Byrds for example. It occurred to me that you can either stay with the same music and try to get it to sound better with better components. Or you can get new music. So is the emphasis on sound quality or the music? I get a bigger thrill with new music that any new component I can buy. Although this will probably change in 5-10 years as technology improves.
Naturally you want to get the best sound/value for the money spent but unless you can define a point of diminishing returns where further improvements are not worth the money, you'll never get beyond the equipment.
It has been said that you can get 75% of the best available sound quality for $1,000; and 95% for $5,000. To get the last 5% you could spend another $20,000 or more. It can be hard to stop or realize you're at the end of meaningful upgrades and end up spending more and more money on smaller and smaller improvements. But is this really worthwhile? If you're in this situation, DIY can be a good cure for idle hands and mind. Maybe a second system for the office or garage. It can be more satisfying than one you just go out and buy.
It has been said the best CDP made and which cost $10,000 in 1990 can be bettered today with a good quality (maybe Toshiba or Sony) CDP for $200.00. So just wait a couple of years and get better sound and for less money. Especially when you're pushing the limits of today's technology. I think this has been the case of lower cost integrated amps by YBA, Audio Refinement, Creek, and Musical Fidelity. Reviewers have said even a few years ago you would have to go with separates to get such good sound quality. Tommorrow's technology will be both better and cheaper so why not what a little bit?
I discovered I would rather listen to good music on a well set up $700.00 system than audiophile quality recordings of music I don't really like on a $30,000 system. Fortunately living in a prosperous country like the U.S., I can have both good music and a nice stereo but it helps to put things in perspective.