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

It doesn't work to relocate from one temptation to another. Any AA person will tell you that there is no geographical cure.
First you have to admit that you are powerless over audio.
Then watch your behavior - you will find yourself rationalizing and finding ways to cheat or bumping up against circumstances that have to be considered unavoidable. These are signs of denial. (Yeah, I know it's a river). Some of you will turn to religion to escape your bonds. Others will transfer to another obsession like computer audio.

Ultimately, the only way out is through. You have to confront your self and your fears. You must give up your suckle. Wean yourself. Pull the plug. There is no gentle way.

Now go have a drink.

In my opinion the best way to get off is simply getting divorce. That is right. Just let you x wife have it, and wish her luck. No doubt her new boyfriend will pick up where you left off.

It could be cheaper then staying married.

Drastic suggestion. Surely you are not serious.

And besides being foolish, such a move guarantees no cure. It merely assigns your blame to another temporarily.

Remember, you cannot escape yourself.

It does no good to stop blaming your speakers and start blaming your wife. The problem will stay with you.

I am serious. And stop calling me Shirley.

Sorry I couldn't resist.

1. I think it's useful to ask yourself, honestly, whether the $1000 you're considering spending on new cables would be better spent elsewhere (and doing this with someone who will call bulls*** on your reasoning is helpful). Will that $1000 be enjoyed more on the cables than on the myriad of other things you could spend it on? (E.g. with me, $1000 would let me spend more time in Europe, and that is a pure joy for me.)

2. I also think, as many have noted, that it's useful to ask if you're listening to music as opposed to your system. Is your system allowing you to enjoy all the music you really like? Or do you spend too much time listening to the system and how it is reproducing the music? When I do the latter, I stop buying stuff.

3. Nuclear option: Read Peter Singer (e.g. _Famine, Affluence, and Morality_ here: http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/1972----.htm). That'll do it, for sure.