With over 30 years addiction to this crazy hobby, I have only within the last few years begun to approach the level of reproduction of which I'd always dreamed, but never really expected to achieve. The key for me over all this time, though, has been to focus on matching a synergistic combination of components at a managable cost that played well to my listening priorities, and to avoid the trap of equipment "flavor of the month" that would siphon away resources. Even when I knew there was more expensive equipment that could sound even better, I always have been able to enjoy the music my system gave me, in its various iterations, because it always matched well against those aspects of music reproduction that were important to me.
Is the journey finished? No. However, I now feel confident that some parts of the system now are unlikely to be replaced.
Is the journey finished? No. However, I now feel confident that some parts of the system now are unlikely to be replaced.