1. Spend a lot of time performing room measurements (learn how to do it and buy good equipment/sofware), optimize room dimensions and treatment, optimize speaker positioning, optimize listening position, install dedicated power lines, power distribution. Major impact.
2. Get great speakers first, adequate for the type/range of music you like, then think about other components.
3. Don't trust dealers and reviewers (most of them are quite biased) and audiophiles who have a different musical focus/range. ALWAYS try new equipment and cables in your own system. If you listen and think it is a step back in any way, even though a step forward in some ways, don't buy it. If you think the improvement is too small for the price, don't buy it.
4. Buy used (except cartridges), wait a while if necessary.
5. Listen to great systems, go to the Munich High End Show, go listen to great audiophile rooms/systems, listen to live music. So that you find out what you want and have clear references.
6. Listen to lots of music end enjoy it. After a certain point, the need to upgrade decreases dramatically because the music seems quite real.
