--Adress acoustics basic concept and try some experiments...( acoustics is not mere room acoustic, i modified my speakers because they are Helmholtz resonators too i say this as an exemple of an acoustics concept )
-- adress the electrical noise floor level of the gear and the room and of the house... Also EMI pollution ...
-- Adress the vibrations/resonance mechanical problems huge on turntable and on speakers...
-- Never upgrade if your system is basically already synergetical BEFORE adressing the three points above ... Because you probably will not need to and if you need you will probably decide in another component for the upgrade because these three point together exceed most single gear upgrade when your system is basically good and already synergetical...
-- a relative audiophile experience at the minimal acoustical threshold of satisfaction is possible and as much rewarding than with a top maximal acoustical satisfaction threshold in spite of the huge difference between a good 1000 bucks system and a 50,000 bucks one ... Why ? Because all acoustics factors defining sound can be optimally balanced relative to the gear design at any price levels...In clear you dont put a 2,000 bucks preamplifier on a 150 bucks active speakers system , i just put a tube preamplifier costing 50 bucks with amazing result ... all gear level must be complementary and relatively on the same level of price because you will need such balance to optimize the acoustics factors implied in the sound perception... We live with a system for a long time... Only obsessed people go in upgrading instead of learning the basic ...
-- Simple blind test is enough if you experiment with unorthodox devices ...
-- Go on your own road and trust your ears because you will train them not by listening music of any type only but because you will try acoustics simple experiments ...
-- read and study articles of acoustician not of mere reviewers ...
-- Buying the gear, nevermind the price is the easy part...Learning how from the first three points above to embed any pieces of gear in his three working dimensions is the hard part but the most fun part, not buying upgrade so fun it could be ...
-- The most important factor and satisfying one is creativity not price tags or high end design purchasing ...
-- Good sound is not defined by gear design first but first by acoustics concepts in the head of the listener or in the head of the designer ...
Merry christmas to all fellows audiogon members ...🎄