@asctim - I can relate to experimentitis. I'm very happy with my current system and don't plan to ever truly upgrade from my speakers or integrated amplifier as it would take more of a financial investment than I consider to be justifiable for me for a variety of reasons. I'm an engineer, so often have curiosities that I'm interested to explore. As an example, I am fairly new to the "cables make a difference" side of things, so now I'm interested in toying around with cables a bit more for the sake of the experience than a desire to improve the sound of my system. Cables are such a rabbit hole that it's somewhat daunting to figure out where to even start. I'm currently leaning toward upgrading within my current cable brand based on the assumption that if I'm happy with their "signature sound" I'll likely be happy with whatever they consider to be better. There's also a top dollar for what I'd ever consider reasonable to spend no matter the results. I suspect that playing with different brands is similar to rolling tubes were the result can be "different" as much as "better" or "worse" in a lot of cases.
I am so happy.....
That my upgradeitis is over before it even started.
I am so happy with the system I have, I want to share with everyone the fact that that even a very modest and cheap system can produce great sound for me and makes me happy to the point where I no longer have to search for improvements.
Call me ignorant if you want. Does not bother me even an iota. I will go the grave happier than everyone who is condescending.
I am using my own home made Neurochrome 686 stereo amp with 1000 VA medical grade toroidal, 160 amp rectifier (very little fwvd hence virtually no heat generated) and 200,000uF filter capacitors producing approx 220 watts rms/channel. It sounds just absolutely FANTASTIC.
My preamp is a Freya S. Speakers are B&W.
I have a Linn LP12 with SME 3009R and Nagaoka 500 and a Mani which I find that I listen to less and less in favor of the convenience and the dynamics and quietness of digital.
For my music server, wait for it......... I use an LG V60 phone, which has a great in built DAC, which I bought for $300 brand new on ebay ($1200 retail but no longer made) using the lossless Apple Music and Qobuz apps. I use an AuidoEngine B1 as my bluetooth receiver to which the LG phone can send aptX-HD which I can actually also connect directly to the Freya S on occasion.
The combination sounds simply fantastic to my ears and I listen to it for hours grateful that this technology available today provides this gift to me.
Just as I am writing this, I am listening to smooth jazz "Euge Groove Slow jam" and it is just sublime.