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
My basement system is comprised of a Marantz 2252 rcvr, a Denon cdp, and various speakers I switch in and out. Vintage JBL's, Cerwin Vega's, Wharfedales, Advents, etc. I get nearly as much enjoyment out of them as I do the main rig. I guess I'm doomed...
I found the perfect way about ten years ago: divorce.

Allowed me to unload $25K worth of brilliant equipment in about three months. Now, ten years later, I can look at the merry go round, but I doubt I'd ever get back on it.
What slowed me down was music itself. While streaming Pandora may be in an opposite direction as far as sound quality is concerned, getting exposure to unfamiliar content is a step in the right direction,for me.

Flipping the same recordings over and over to make comparisons is a completely different experience then enjoying music. Which would you prefer?
"Flipping the same recordings over and over to make comparisons is a completely different experience then enjoying music. Which would you prefer?"

I've headed down the latter path in recent years as a result of bringing in internet radio, music server, etc.

My favorite station now is my own, Mapman Radio, which streams on my home Wifi network only off my music server with Squeezebox set to random tracks.

I add to the musical rotation there more liberally now than I have since 30 years ago in college.