I did not take a fast pathway to purchasing a 2 channel system. I spent 2-3 years researching, mostly reading The Absolute Sound and the advice of its editor Robert Harley, and set forth a budget (on his advisement) of 10% my annual income. Not sure it was time well spent, or a budget necessary to achieving a satisfying listening experience. As stated above, you need to go listen, and trust your own ears. If you want the fast approach, and are a music lover who wants very good sound to simply enjoy the music (particularly as background music), more power to you. You can achieve that with a very modest budget. I could build a very good system for 20-30% of what I spent. Take 3-5 CDs to your local audio store, or if unavailable, travel to the closest metropolitan area to visit a few stores. Research the speakers they carry, select several you want to audition based on reviews and your budget, and listen to several over the course of an hour. Then pick a good quality integrated amplifier that will adequately drive the speakers (e.g., NAD, Yamaha, Naim, Rogue). Then pick out a source component (e.g., CD player, streaming device/DAC, turntable).
I would suggest you audition a pair of dipole speakers (e.g., Magnepan), as they are more conducive to good room acoustics with no side wall reflections. On the flip side, they generally require quite a bit of space, and quite a few watts, to sound their best. Their sound is not for everyone, and the wife approval factor is low.
If you want a dedicated listening room, or are an audiophile cursed with the ear of a musician like minorl, like the discerning palate of a vinophile, well then you might as well settle in for a long ride. Take your time ... again letting your own ears being the judge, and devoting an ample part of your budget to room acoustic treatments.
I would suggest you audition a pair of dipole speakers (e.g., Magnepan), as they are more conducive to good room acoustics with no side wall reflections. On the flip side, they generally require quite a bit of space, and quite a few watts, to sound their best. Their sound is not for everyone, and the wife approval factor is low.
If you want a dedicated listening room, or are an audiophile cursed with the ear of a musician like minorl, like the discerning palate of a vinophile, well then you might as well settle in for a long ride. Take your time ... again letting your own ears being the judge, and devoting an ample part of your budget to room acoustic treatments.