Being guided by what you hear is limited by what components and masters you have heard. Which is why one would ask questions of folks that have lots of experience across components, masters, media, in different systems to understand the underlying realities.
Just to be clear, I wasn’t in any way suggesting the OP ignore "underlying realities" to which we’re all subject. Furthermore, I have the utmost respect for you; I would never suggest anyone ignore your contributions or those of any other seasoned audiophiles.
My post was in response to my impression, which may be erroneous, that the OP is not "owning" the decision making process; he seems to be asking us to convince him to go one way or another without much introspection on his part.
In the end, it’s his ears he has to please in his room, with his budget, ancillary gear, etc. If he’s not paying close attention to what he finds pleasing, I’m not convinced he can actually achieve a desirable outcome.
But, as I said, I may be drawing erroneous conclusions.
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