How do you negotiate a cure for wrong audio view

Maybe I am not being clear. The 'hell realm of dull geeky materialism' is my smart-ass way of making a point, albeit in a provocative manner. This is a high end audio site. I am an audiophile. However I do not have to bind my attention up with mere machines all the time. The whole reason I have the machines is to let my mind soar, and let my awareness dissolve, into spaces charged with sublime waveform vibratory movement. Isn't the whole point to be transported? When the gear displaces that, I think something is wrong. I also think GEAR WILL NOT MAKE YOU HAPPY!

Unfortunately, I think we all( or a large percentage of us)have fallen into this quandary. The problem began with me when I was introduced to highend or at least at that time what I thought was highend equipment. The pursuit was on!!
It was no longer about listening to the music but the pursuit of "the absolute sound" which by the way is a never ending journey. The reason being, we're never satisfied(which is human nature)for long. When we do an upgrade it'll probably last on average six months maybe a year and that's pushing it. Then the mkII version comes out and its significantly better according to the manufacturer and all of the audiophile rags! and we're back on the pursuit.
Why? because we're not listening to the music, we're listening to the equipment. Now ,I no a lot of folks will say that they are listening to the music but the question is if that's true, then why keep upgrading? I mean how much better can the music get? Right, its not the music but sound of the music! Is that a redundant statement? Think about it.
The times that I listened to the music the most was when I had Radioshack quality equipment and had a limited budget! That's also, the time when I was most satisfied.
Let's face it (as one of my audiophile buddies says)we need therapy!!!smile.
My suggestion is if you want to remain remotely sane in this hobby, stay away from this forum and others like it. Also, stay away from all of the audiophile rags(magazines)
you'll be a lot happier!
I know is that is that really realistic?
Just my two cents worth, something for folks to ponder...

GEAR WILL NOT MAKE YOU HAPPY

Ay, there's the rub...

Hi Chashmal,Take a look at the Anstendig Institute website.
Interesting stuff.
I am a classical musician.My interest in stereo was initially to listen to recordings of my concerts.
Then,20 years ago,I lost the ability to play,and because I do not go out much,most of my listening is done at home.
Without going into the finer points of the issues that you touch on,it would probably be useful to ask which aspects of recreating sound are most important for the suspension of disbelief.
And there,most probably,different people have discovered that their priorities are different.
My guess is that color,or harmonic complexity,would tend to be high on most peoples' lists for the simple reason that our brain can not synthesize this quality to fill in for what is missing on the recording/system.
Hence,the popularity of SET triode amps.
My solution is to have different sounding systems at home.

Chashmal,

I do not mean to be unsympathetic but these types of discussions have been on this forum ad nauseam. There is music and there is the pursuit of the "absolute reproduced sound." It is a journey where we never reach our final destination. However, if the journey is destroying your love of the art, pull off the road. You need perspective. It may even take turning your system off for a while. Celebrate life, do a kind deed. Give of yourself instead of selfishly pursuing and then go back and listen afresh.

Best Regards,
Hoopster