I think you must first start with the objective of building a system to serve the type of music you most like to listen to. Every type of configuration has it's strong points and weaknesses. I would then visit every audio store you can and relate your objectives to a competant salesman. You might also join a local audio club and try to network. I personally love tube equipment and nearfield listening but that might not float your boat. I am purposely avoiding the name game because personal discovery part of the fun.
State of the Art? I don t care anymore.
I appreciate the endless obsessive quest to reach the next level of audio nirvana. But I am starting to wonder if it is really making me happy. It seems that the relationship between cost and pleasure is by no means linear. Some systems I have assembled seem to have had just enough performance and resolution to reveal how terrible a recording sounded, or how badly I needed to upgrade an associated component -- but didn't sound good enough to get me to the next level of reality. While I guess that is all part of the "fun", I just want to enjoy music again. I still love audio and I love reading all of your posts, but has anyone else sometimes felt this way? Could someone suggest a romantically, musically colored component or system where, despite their audiophile credentials and enthusiasm, they have forgotten about the equipment and just listened to music? I don't care about earth shattering volume, the deepest bass, the finest resolution, extended highs, accuracy, rock solid imaging etc. Just want to enjoy music again. I know this is not necessarily a new idea, but I find it very very difficult to achieve.