@erik_squires Good OP and interesting last response!
+1 on the room acoustics point. I've found that some of the greatest improvements in overall satisfaction come from having friends who've ignored treating their rooms take a few basic steps to control side wall and floor reflections and experiment a bit with speaker and seating position combinations.
Going in a different direction, my happiness JUMPS when I share unknown music with friends and it brings a smile to their face. Jaws drop, followed by "I have to get that recording". Cheers,
Spencer