Thanks Bongofury, T_bone, Phaelon and Goatwuss. A friend of mine who has more experience "shopping" for high-end has actually been showing me the ropes, so your advice has already been well-heeded, Phaelon (but great advice, nonetheless). As for listening tastes, I have quite a range, from afrobeat (Fela Kuti is god) and krautrock (Can, Neu, etc.) to jazz (lots of In a Silent Way period Miles, early Bill Evans, Tito Puente/Eddie Palmeri) and hip hop (prefer old school) to reggae (Burning Spear, Lee Scratch Perry) and all varieties of soul/funk and rock ... and, yes T_bone, even a bit of electronica/house music.
Thus far, I've spent vastly more energy (and $$$) putting together my music collection (my fiancee and I own more than 5K CDs ... her music is mostly world music), so I decided it was time I really "listen" to my collection. Anyways, I'm babbling, but I truly love music, so I'm open to any suggestions you all may have as to fitting equipment for someone with my schitzophrenic tastes.
Thus far, I've spent vastly more energy (and $$$) putting together my music collection (my fiancee and I own more than 5K CDs ... her music is mostly world music), so I decided it was time I really "listen" to my collection. Anyways, I'm babbling, but I truly love music, so I'm open to any suggestions you all may have as to fitting equipment for someone with my schitzophrenic tastes.