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

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.

Tbg, I'm not suggesting that buying better gear is a bad thing but as Jmcgrogan2 pointed out, the main theme of this thread is to solicit ideas on how to remove yourself from the merry-go-round, it's contradictive to make posts otherwise.

One must recognize the fact that the pusuit of the perfect system has hurt some audiophiles in many ways where others have used sound judgement.

I can offer an example. Sometime ago I responded to an ad on audiogon via the sellers phone number. I called him and we briefly talked about the condition of the preamp and its sonics. He then told me that he would not be around to ship it. I asked why and he responded that he wanted to kill himself because the wife and kids just left because of his audio hobby. I must of been on the phone with him for an hour. I finally got him to go see his father who was the closest relative.