HOW DID YOU END UP WITH YOUR DREAM SYSTEM?

My first system was in HS and college - a Fischer stack. It was gone by age 30 at which time I became lost in the Bluetooth wilderness. Fast forward 20 years to the summer of 2023. I bought a used pair of JBL LX300s from a friend and added a Project Debut Carbon Evo TT and a chifi class D Douk “tube” amp.
 

This past October I visited a true audiophile buddy and marveled at his Maggies, Rega TT and Naim amp, along with assorted other high end “stuff”. A month later someone on an audiophile FB page (thanks, Carl) said he was thinking of eventually selling his Maggies and it turned out he lived 15 mins from me. Feeling I might beat the rush, I asked if I could come check them out. A few days later they were playing at my house with his Rogue amp (they needed power they were accustomed to, right?), my black Monday acquired WiiM Ultra streamer and my tried and true TT. The JBLs and Douk amp are now downstairs for enjoyment by my wife and the unwashed masses. (Band name?)

I’m a lightweight audiophile at best and my trip has been pretty short but here I am. Content. Satisfied. Dare I say done?

Never really had a hifi system. My money went into cameras as that was my profession for 30 years (editorial work). Around 2007 I was teaching and one of my instructors asked me if I knew anything about tube amplifiers. Got the bug.

Bought a used Primaluna PL2. and BW 602 ( and Project Expression TT and used Tuna)

Replaced the BWs with Triangle Cometes ( sold the TT and bought a VPI HW-19 mk iv)

Replaced the Triangles with Ref 3A de Capos

Went to see friend in Phoenix who did a small gig at Arizona HiFi, saw and heard a 2/6 watt Grommes PHI-26. fell in love. Had to wait a year.

So indulged and bought a used Decware Mini Torii ( keep the Grommes, used in a second system) Love this 10 tube wonder

Pretty much this is the system ( added a new CDP Emotiva ERC-4, had a Mac Tuner MR-71 but bought a MHDT DAC and a Schitt Eitr and stream via my Macbook, added a NIB more than 1/2 off KEF 10b sub

Only thing I might change is a more efficient speaker (although it will cost) but the de Capos can get pretty loud

And maybe a nice streamer with a HD

By first understanding the science of sound; not spending exorbitant amounts of money on boutique power cords, speaker wire, amps, etc., that don't actually change the sound AT ALL but feed into snake oil marketing that is killing this hobby. Then splurging on things that actually matter, like speakers, by listening to as many different brands/models as possible to see what sounds good to my ears. 

There are so many speakers, that's the hard part.

I have a great speaker. But I started to pay way more to source, amplification and cabling that didn’t take anything away from the music. 

@everyone. I think your speaker is important.  But I learned to focus on the sources and quality amplification and cabling that does not impede the sound. It’s cool to have a great speaker but if you feed it with junk you will,get junk.