Not sure how much use this maybe as an answer but the only "reference"system worth worrying about for me is mine.
Even if I hear a setup in a shop that deeply impresses I am always thinking, well ok but what might it sound like in my room, playing my music?
So I just keep plodding along trying to assemble the best I can.
But since I moved to Maggie's, I now consider it a great reference point for sure.