The "audiophile gear" I REALLY need is a damn house.

Damn - I live downtown. Quiet is 30 db

I concur on a good headphone amp and headphones.  Excellent options and can be a different experience vs 2 channel system. 

@overthemoon you have a beautiful system. Simaudio rocks. Must be heaven :)

Not just a house but tucked in a basement helps. I like to listen loud (100db) from time to time just for a handful of tracks but it is nice. 

@gs5556 Headphones sometimes also create noise especially if the walls are just card-board.

If your headphones are loud enough to disturb the neighbors...you're going to make yourself deaf.