Location of compoments.

I find it hard to determine the non-obvious soundstage cues looking at anything- I can only do determine soundstage fine details, especially depth, with my eyes closed. Many times I hears the drums etc. are coming directly from the speaker, but after closing my eyes, and shaking the head to remove the memory of the speaker position, then focusing on the sound it turns the image is several inches left and a few feet back of the speaker, after opening my eyes to confirm. 

And speaking of lights, one of worst things someone can do is have a dimmer switch in the same circuit as the system. 

I confess I have a dimmer switch in my audio room, but the system is on its own circuit. The dimmer still throws noise into the AC, I know this, as well as all the other dimmer switches in the house, but haven't done anything about it yet. If it is off no noise will be produced, and I have gone back and forth listening with it on and off and if there is a difference it is small- much smaller than changing ethernet or digital cables. (Or having a 3 foot rack between but a few feet back of the plane the speakers.) At least the bulbs are old-school incandescents and not LED. 

I saw The Who a total of 5 times, but the first 3 times was when all members were alive.  I saw the North American Tours (here in Southern California) of Tommy (following shortly after the release of Live At Leeds), of Who's Next, and of Quadrophenia.  Most definitely, memories for life!

Regarding my system, presently my room is not ideal, and the speakers are with the TV centered and are about 1 1/2 feet forward of the TV.  My electronics are in the room directly behind the speakers with the speaker cables pulled through nicely finished portholes in the baseboard.  Great for isolating my turntable from the speakers, but the room and having a TV between the speakers really sucks.  Over the past few years my system has evolved well beyond the limitations of my sound room, and I am tired of such limitations.  My virtual system is not updated on this site.  However, I will update it later this year.  I have a good reason for that.  Over 2024 I decided to add on to my house, a dedicated sound room.  A lot of research and consultation for dimensions, construction type and materials, AC power design, etc.  "Breaking ground" should begin around late March.  My layout design for AC includes having the system on the side, with the amplifier between the speakers.  Thus, I will be using a long set of XLR cables and a short set of speaker cables.  And as mulveling stated, the equipment racks will be about even with my listening position (unfortunately not behind me).  2025 will be a very exciting year for me, developing the best listening environment for the best system of my life.

My TT is between, a bit behind my sealed box speakers, with no discernible detriment.

Driver Dispertion, Horn Mouth Design, Toe-In, and Slanted Back aimed inward and upward effects dispertion of vibrations, I posted some comments and photos in this about TT Dust Covers

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/some-thoughts-on-dust-covers

So, to better answer the OPs question, I much prefer having the system to the side, and not between the speakers.  In my youth, I had a rather grand system (Accuphase, bi-amped into big Infinity speakers) and it was to the side.  I was able to "see" the soundstage between the speakers, looking into the front wall with wood diffusers.  In my present house that layout cannot be achieved.  Thus, building a dedicated sound room I can achieve what I believe to be best, and that is for having the system to the side of me and the speakers with the amp between them.  The front wall will have high quality diffusers in the middle.  A much nicer view of nicely done wood diffusers as opposed to a rack of electronics, in my opinion.

@lovehifi22 I haven't read the whole thread so maybe someone else suggested this but i too read Smith's book and relocated my equipment to the side in a bass null, but i kept the amp between the speakers on a very low amp stand to avoid long speaker cables--so speaker cables are 4' long and balanced interconnects are 15'