I thought I would share (if you haven’t already seen it) this Youtube video summary that was posted on another forum.  It makes some excellent points IMO.  Last three bullet points hit close to home.
The Youtube video’s 26-minute message is essentially: stop assuming a new component is the solution when the existing system may not yet be optimized.
- Fix the room first. Room acoustics can dominate what you hear; expensive electronics can't correct major acoustic problems.
- Optimize speaker placement. Position, distance from walls, toe-in, symmetry and spacing can make a larger difference than many equipment upgrades.
- Optimize the listening position. Moving your chair can substantially change bass response, imaging and tonal balance.
- Integrate subwoofers properly. Placement, phase, crossover and level need to work with the room rather than simply adding more bass.
- Change only one thing at a time. Otherwise you don't know which change caused the improvement—or deterioration.
- Listen analytically and diagnose the problem before buying something.
First identify what is wrong: bass, imaging, brightness, dynamics, etc. Then determine whether the cause is the room, setup, component matching or the equipment itself.
- Don't let reviews or other audiophiles define what you should hear. Use other people's opinions as information, not as the final judgment. The goal is your system, in your room, to your ears.
- Beware of GAS/FOMO — Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Constantly changing components can become the hobby instead of listening to music. There's always going to be a newer DAC, amplifier, cable or speaker. If the system is working well, don't manufacture a reason to replace it.
- Get everything you can from the equipment you already own. Proper setup can reveal performance you didn't know was available; then, if there's a clearly identified limitation, upgrade the component responsible.
- The ultimate objective is enjoying music, not perpetual dissatisfaction with your system.