The "audiophile gear" I REALLY need is a damn house.

A headphone system is the way to go. You can achieve roughly the same sound quality for 1 / 10th the cost. I have the most amazing headphone system that I put together for around $15K that sounds very similar to my $150K main system.

So, you can develop test and zero in on the sound you want for a fraction of the cost of experimenting and evolving a main system. Then, when you are finally able to buy that house you will know what sound you want.

This is actually how I got to my system today. I improved my headphone system to “perfection”… for me. Then listened to my main system and realized it was sterile and anemic… so, an additional $75K later I brought my main system to sound like my headphone system.

Especially today, a home is a huge step.

If you're currently living alone begin by getting your speakers out in the room. This establishes territory for the potential significant other and introduces them to the sound stage, the reasoning behind it all. You'll be including them in your systems workings, especially the turntable, from day one.

Remember, If they brake something you get to upgrade...I mean replace it. 

The headphone recommendation is really great for 2 reasons. 

1) no room reflection. What you hear is just music. 

2) very easy to get 100+ db. Some really good headphones like the Meze Empyrean, maintains full composure regardless of volume. 

I'm here in my apartment trying to enjoy the Coachella streams and feeling self-conscious about 30 measly watts because my always-quiet neighbors have their front door open trying to enjoy a beautiful spring day. I need a house out in the middle of nowhere so I can actually turn up without bothering people https://100001.onl/.

I got this,...

@grislybutter I am very pleased with my gear - I have listened to a variety of gear and I like there sound and I think it’s value is second to none. 
 

@james633 I like it loud; my view of loud though is 85 db or so. My neighbor is very agreeable so I’m lucky.  

If your headphones are loud enough to disturb the neighbors...you're going to make yourself deaf.

@gs5556 Headphones sometimes also create noise especially if the walls are just card-board.

Not just a house but tucked in a basement helps. I like to listen loud (100db) from time to time just for a handful of tracks but it is nice. 

@overthemoon you have a beautiful system. Simaudio rocks. Must be heaven :)

Damn - I live downtown. Quiet is 30 db

I concur on a good headphone amp and headphones.  Excellent options and can be a different experience vs 2 channel system. 

I might not have much but the space between neighbors is something I am grateful for.

I try live by the maxim of not making neighborhood noise with the expectation of receiving the same courtesy. Unfortunately, most folks think the opposite whereby they make as much noise as they want while allowing you to do the same. Makes for noisy environments. I’m looking at you yard machines guy. Thankfully, the basement is silent. Like 18dB.

👌

@carlsbad2, Yup, what you said.  Very true

@nonoise  Growing up in rurual MO, you couldn't see the neighbors' houses but dad taught us to always keep track of where the neighbors houses were when squirrel hunting.

Once you have a house and the system you want, you'll need to turn it up less.  a great system sounds excellent without excessive volume and you can listen all day long.

I've always wanted a place where I could throw a rock as hard as I could from my front lawn and not hit the nearest neighbor.  I with you on this. 👍

All the best,
Nonoise

Headphones. Good ones, along with a top notch amp and dac. You'll never go back to a mid level two channel system again.