Fastest way to correct hifi system?

One other thought ... and perhaps better devoted to a separate thread. I am going to go out on a limb and state that I think that most audiophiles -- certainly not all -- would advise that the fastest electronic path to creating a high end system that brings you to the sound of a live event (the so called absolute sound) is to combine a tube preamplifier and a solid state amplifier.  While there may be some tube amplifiers that offer good resolution/ control at the frequency extremes, and have narrowed the gap in this respect with solid state, they are out of the reach of most of us in terms of capital. Here I'm thinking of high dollar offerings from the likes of David Berning or Victor Lamm -- in the 40-80 K range. Not to mention the cost of replacement tubes. The tube preamplifier will give your system a touch of the magic that tubes offer -- warmth, bloom, air, decay -- without a huge investment. 

+1 enginedr1960
The room is the most important, and most overlooked piece of the puzzle.
Jim Smith's book is excellent.
All of the previous posts are valid and worth paying attention to.
I've been in this hobby since 1975, and am still seeking, tweaking, changing, adjusting, and still loving it.
Don't get in a hurry, don't rush, and HAVE FUN!!!

The OP doesn't appear to participate. No matter.
I would always choose the speakers first. Analogue or digital or both is the next step. In any case, if you want long term satisfaction - don't rush it and prepare to spend enough.
It's Vladimir Shushurin aka Lamm not Victor, by the way. Great stuff.

Especially if the system is to be placed into an existing room, try to audition the speakers at home.