@ghdprentice -- almost 62 here and I still own the first LP I played on my first "stereo" in 1973! I am off to audition some speakers tomorrow and I will be bringing along one or two of my favorite Bill Evans recordings! There is something about him that forges a personal connection to each song and it is wonderful to hear you writing something quite similar.
I still have work to do on my "room" but I do have a plan, so more to come on this subject!
Thanks for a wonderful reflection and for the advice you have offered as a fellow ARC convert.