Not impressed

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Someone here many years ago made a quote about this hobby that was so profound.

He said: "We're all as crazy as we can afford to be."

So, If you've reached your spending threshold, do your homework and get the best equipment within your budget and be done with it. Audiogon is an excellent resource for buying pre-owned stuff. It's almost tantamount to a free trial if you buy intelligently.
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While the pursuit of audio (musical) satisfaction certainly has its ups and downs, putting together the right system for yourself can be done, and without spending insane amounts of hard-earned cash.

A system consisting of some vintage, and some newer gear, can be inordinately musical and satisfying. If you throw in the towel, you'll never experience the blessing of enjoying music as you would like to have it, in your home on a daily basis.

Many of us have found high-sensitivity speakers/low power SET amps to be just what we were looking for all along. You don't state what you have at this time that is distressing you, but try listening to such a system, and see if you might find what you've been missing.

Another thing worth mentioning, is on this forum, there is a wealth of knowledge possesed among its members, along with the usual dose of crackpots you'll find on any forum.

Point being, members have helped immensely in finding the right set up for me. Avail yourself to this treasure trove, many knowledgeable members enjoy helping those of us that just don't know as much as they would like.

Good luck, sounds like you could use some about now.
Dan

Sell it all, and put the ipod on the horse and use the money for gas for the boat and travel a lot.

Hmmmm? And I have a boat with no music on it. Maybe I should get a horse too!

Milhorn,
Perhaps you misinterpreted the specific focus of my post. I made no mention regarding the current challenges of high end audio as being "a small matter to you [me] as a consumer".
You also affirmed my contention that many current users of portable music players using earbuds probably have no familiarity with high end audio when you stated that hi end audio retailers "are not doing a good job now". As far as a $100,000 system is concerned, I have neither the resources nor the interest to spend that kind of money on a system. I certainly have no problem with those that have such a system or desire one in the future. Over the years as I have bought and sold stereo equipment new from dealers or here on Audiogon I have arrived at a system that gives me much listening pleasure.
With regard to your speakers I have no knowledge of them. I can only wish you great success in your enterprise.