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
Ag insider logo xs@2xdrubin
Some will find s Merry Go Round to be fun.

Others not.

High End Audio merry go rounds can be expensive though and send a lot of money down the drain. That's never a good thing. Inefficient at best!
Tbg, forget the bar analogy, my point was that there are many different threads here, if this one bothers you, simply leave. Hell, since what this thread is all about is clearly marked in the title, don't even walk into this thread in the first place. There are PLENTY of threads that encourage folks to spend MORE money and how to say "WEEEEEEE" while riding the merry-go-round....join them. Don't harass those who have had enough merry-go-round and are ready to puke.

Back to the bar analogy, if I wonder upon a bar called "Men's Buttcheeks" I, for one, would not even enter that bar(not that there's anything wrong with that). ;-)
For someone who cannot live with just a single system and its sound for whatever reason, another option is to set up multiple systems. Nothing wrong with variety.

A very practical and cost effective way to do this these days is wireless LAN access to a single music server from multiple systems/devices. WIth this approach, you can access all your music anywhere in teh house from a single location/server, and then tweak the gear in each room accordingly. Portable devices and high quality headphones and/or earbuds for good sound quality is another option.

I have implemented this solution to good effect with two full systems, a table radio in the bedroom, and multiple laptops and tablet/mobile devices. I am truly "Wired (and wireless) for Sound"!
Jmcgrogan2, I didn't post here until Blackwillard said, " Put on a blindfold and you will hear very little differences between a $5,000.00 system which is properly set up and complimentary, to a $50,000.00 system which simply gives you braggin' rights." This characterizes the underlying thinking of many here.

If you don't like what I post here, don't read it. You are no one to tell another they should not post. Plug you MP3 player into your ears and enjoy.
So you disagree with blackwillard? Owning a $50,000 system, I do think that a well sorted $5,000 system can surprise you with how good it can sound. As good as what I have? I don't think so, but not so much better as the price difference would suggest. Yes, there is more to pursue, and the quest can be never ending, and nothing wrong with that if you have the money and enjoy the quest. But you can easily choose not to get caught up in that and have a very satisfying stereo giving you many years of enjoyment; while using all that time and energy, and perhaps money on another pursuit that can also life enjoyable.