Question: What are some of your best pieces of advise to someone new to the hobby?

The problem when people say trust your ears not reviews is that our ears must be TRAINED...

Sound is not a taste question , save for those who think that a dac and an amplifier make the sound by themselves instead of the triplets : ears/speakers /room...And even here with this triplet it is more about acoustic in specific small room than taste... A good timbre and spatial sound experience is defined by acoustics not by taste...It is not based on price and gear as much as on acoustic ...

There is only 2 ways to train our ears VARIED musical listening and experience and acoustic concepts and experiments...

Upgrading dac and amplifier for "our taste" is a way to turn back on the road instead of facing the question : is this sound acoustically right about the timbre factor , listener envelopment and instrument sound volume extent (holography) ...Basically  ANY synergetical good dac and amplifier can do the job, why upgrading before knowing what we do just because we obey the hype ?

We must learn how to make possible this experience with synergetical components first yes but you must learn how to discern and control these factors too to some degree ideally... it is why nothing replace learning acoustic concepts... Beware , it is more than room treatment...

If possible find a good knowledgeable dealer to work with and who offers you an upgrade path. Looking back at my experiences I  probably would have had better sound quicker and for less working with my current dealer.

Another thing is realize what you don't know, again looking back I was buying stuff used 15-20 years ago that I had no business owning. Esoteric gear, tubed gear dip your toes gently into that realm until you get some real experience under your belt.

Be true only to your own ears.  Buy for passion, not resale value and not to prove others right.  Buy what makes you enjoy the music the most in your own home at your own volume and pace.

However you go about it ( listening to as much gear / systems as possible, with your favorite music, is the best way, ime ), you will need to determine " what are your listening preferences ", those qualities and characteristics in recorded music, you enjoy the most. Eric_squires, as he states " be true to your own ears ", is great advice. Understand, we all are different and unique in what we like. This, is your journey. Enjoy, and, my best. MrD.

Don’t be put off by sticker shock. Get something that gets you going, then start researching. I think everyone can attest after a long and thorough search, adding a new piece of gear into the system, is one of the great joys in life.