Top 10 Snafus to avoid when building a good rig

some components are better than others.

in fact. components are not absolutely better, but rather present a trade off of improvements and degradations.

Where can I get me sum'dem absolutely mo'betta components?! I'd like to trade in my degradation for some improvement for to make my music better! I say, accept no substitutes and look for the "Mo'Betta" certification badge. 9 out of 10 dentists have been paid off so that you can bask in the light of their endorsement of your irreproachable decision to go with the best your money can buy!!! It'll get you past the bouncer at heaven's gates. While you're here with the rest of the unwashed riffraff, you can impress your family, friends and neighbors who will all hold you in highest esteem for demonstrating knowledge beyond ordinary mortal's understanding. Why I'm getting weak in the knees just thinking about it. I am unworthy.

Ahendler,
Said it well. I get the impression from reading many threads that a number of people don`t have confidence in their own ears.
The components that elicit favorable - emotional responds and cause a strong connection with your music, that`s what you want(I hope). If others have a opinion or reaction different from yours, so what.

Substituting $ for experience. One of the more useful/enjoyable aspects of a hobby is that it's an outlet for risk-taking. Part of figuring out what you like is exposure to what you don't like.

Not knowing when you've finished. Related to that, forgetting any change will change the sound of your system and different is'nt better.
It seems very hard for all of us, to say "I'm done now, that's the sound I was looking for"
The commoner respoonse is, yes that's very good, but maybe if I change X for Y, it'll be better.