I made many mistakes 7 years ago trying to create my audio system...
I read reviews and was deceived with many low cost products and 7 pairs of headphones i used no more......
Finally i take matter in my hand with listening experiments...3 years ago
To say a story short, i am no more gullible consumer and know that to create imaging, depth , soundstage, listener envelopment, natural timbre, any "relatively good pieces of gear" well chosen MAY do, IF after decreasing the electrical noise floor, and controlling vibrations/resonance, you STUDY acoustic with your ears and made simple experiments...
But people think that it takes a costly tube amplifier for example to create depth imaging....This is how superstitious consumers are....Price is for them a guarantee ...
And acoustic for them is a few costly panels you glue to the walls...a secondary addition to their branded name costly gear....
The worst mistake people could do is ignore acoustic ...
Who will believe that with 1/2 inch in less on a 6 inches straw added to an Helmholtz tubes with an aperture of less than 2 centimeters one can collapse the soundstage dramatically in a room? Or the opposite?
i know i did it....
Dont make any mistake study acoustic and psychoacoustic not the catalog of acoustic panels sellers....Quit upgrading and think....