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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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phd
1,283 posts
 
Tbg, I agree, the merry-go-round is enjoyable as long as it isn't ruining you finacially. I never had the problem myself as I have sold and purchased many items on A'Gon. I think it is critical for some audiophiles to be able to sell their current gear to buy their next purchase. For others who have the desposible income anyway, more power to you.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
In addition to not visiting AGON ever again, it also helps if you have the discipline to not allow a creeping scintilla of doubt regarding your system or just one piece of it, from being able to deliver sonic bliss that quite literally makes your jaw drop because it is truer than true. If you can avoid that creeping doubt that makes you feel that changing gear is going to be truly transformative and not just different - you might just be able to get off the merry-go-round; otherwise, just enjoy the hobby and accept that the merry-go-round is at the heart of the audiophile experience. Just want to listen to music? Well,that's another story.
phd
1,283 posts
 
Pubul57, you just made the definitive statement, just listen to the music if you can. If you check my feedback, I have not had a transaction here on Audiogon since November of last year and that has been a milestone for myself but there are no absolute guarantees. I have a modest but enjoyable system and have reconnected to my music. I'm now down to just experimenting with different interconnects for the best possible sound and there are two large bags of interconnects to choose from, left over from a peak period of time that has passed but a tell-tale sign that there has been a great deal of passion towards this hobby.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Pubul57 and Phd, this discussion sounds like what Consumer Reports used to say about automobiles. Cheapest, reliable transportation is all one needs. They did not get many to subscribe to this philosophy. Most went about their lives, buying cars they wanted.

I'm sure no one would tell you that you cannot get off the merry-go-round if you want to. Nor should you tell others they are wrong to buy better equipment. Nobody appointed you to this duty.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
Of course you should get better equipment, but at some point it isn't really better (certainly not "much" better), just different and it is important to know the difference IMHO. And you certainly don't have to get off the merry-go-round, you just have to know when you are on one, and have fun with it if you enjoy it, many of us do.

My comments are for those who want to get off (OP was pleading:)), and suggesting a method for doing so - stop reading every review compulsively, and stop being parnoid (audionervosa) about your system - just focus on the music,and stop thinking so much about the equipment (IF, you want to get of the m-g-r); I actually don't.
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