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

Actually, come to think of it, in my opinion the merry go round is not a good metaphore for what we are doing. Going round and round implies no progress. You may change your position within that given circle but you get no further. I find this too pessimistic a view for what we are intelligently doing, because progress towards a goal, as subjective as it may be, (although there is such a thing as the absolute sound) is possible. I would prefer the image of the spiral , because this would not imply the futility of our efforts to progress. The top end of my spiral would be what I hear as the "abolute" in my favourite concerthall in my favourite seat. Sometimes , when experimenting, trying new gear or tweaking, you slide forward and upward on this spiral, sometimes you slide back. On a merry go round you don't get anywhere, just have movment ( speak, different sounds as you change gear or tweak) but you don't get anywhere and you should in fact get off it by trying to figure ou how you would like your gear to perform in aural terms and relentlessly strive for that. Then you've left the carousel (or treadmill in other terms) and are on a spiral with a definite goal or end and if you think you're close to what you'd like, you can stop struggling upwards, only watching out not to slide back.

Excellent point, Detlof.

The audio hobby is like walking the gallery of the MOMA.

Yes Tvad, LOL. Getting lots of inspiration from the "real" but how to implement at home with ones limited means pocketbook- and technologywise.....still it is possible to a certain degree, though not in the state of addiction, speak carousel- or threadmillmode.

04-16-09: Mmike84
Who wants off the Merry go round?

Oh, I don't know....maybe folks that want to save their marriage, family, homes, etc.

Cheers,
John

Jmcgrogan2, I suspect few are so threatened. I do think, however, that when your children are young you have to hold back, if for no other reason than they may get into your system or cost a lot of money.

I think "getting off the merrygoround" is deliberately pejorative. Most don't want to get off, but often do have to cutback.