The Horror

I know a couple shops local to me that know how to set up a system from $1000 to $25,000 and have me awe struck by the quality of sound. When yoy go to these shows pay attention to the set up, placement, toe in, treatments, distance from boundaries, listening seat etc. Often as not we can get really close to what we have just by taking the time to understand room and speaker interaction. 

As much as I can appreciate what you're going thru, I don't think it's that bad.

Over the years I've gone ro a few shows, never got home and felt my system lagged too far behind anything I've listened to at those shows. My main system. 

Magnepan 20.1 

Classe CAM350's 

Bottlehead Foreplay 

Rega CD Player 

@audioaddict 

As Morpheus says in the Matrix, “You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland. And I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” Neo takes the red pill and wakes up in the real world.

Unfortunately, there is no blue pill available, only reds.

I know your whole world has been turned inside out and you are in a maelstrom of self doubt and disillusionment, but do not despair. Time is the great healer and your memories of audio nirvana will fade and harmony will be restored.

But just in case, I think a new set of speakers might be required.

My two cents is that the OP has plenty of fine gear but could probably use to put in substantial efforts to optimize the system:

---Doesn’t look like the speakers are optimally placed. For one thing that is a lot of  toe in for Maggies. They may not be the best match for the room but first try some optimization techniques.

---No subwoofer - a lot of the slam can be had by one, or better 2 to 4, subwoofers. I would recommend a couple of RELs.

---Acoustics don’t look optimized - floor reflections, reflections from that big TV between the speakers, no acoustic treatments.

---Once the room and the system is optimized, only then can you even analyze the synergy between components.

Bottom line...a good sounding system takes work, not money. Just look at the high cost systems at shows, set up hastily in less than optimal rooms, that don’t sound any better than a $800 home system.

It’s a long journey. Spending money can accelerate the process, but also accelerate waste. Take it slow on the money side...tweak, move, listen, repeat.

Hey!

I didn’t read all the posts, but, I don’t need to!

Don’t worry about components and ultimate sound. 
You got Thelonious in your soul- he will take you to the cosmos and beyond.