I know also time is a factor as well, I've listened to components I'm interested in and thought they sounded better because they did have more of this and that. but long term I wasn't listening to music anymore I was listening to what that component did well. Then you realise your only listening to the few things that component does well and not the whole, that's when you realise your not listening to music anymore but the components. That's why I have to live with something longer then a few days to get a whole picture, is that picture the music or the component? When I'm fully engaged in the music the component doesn't mater anymore that's what I look for. I was stuck in the listening to components wheel for a long time then I re-found music and stopped listening to the components and listened to weather that component brought me closer to the music and the musical engagement.
only advice I can give a new audiophile is don't listening to components listen to the music and weather you are engaged in the musical event.