You don't have to have a rack full of equipment for good sound. You need a source, an integrated amp, and a pair of loudspeakers. You can spend as little or as much as you want but it doesn't have to take over your house or your life (unless you want it to).
If high end audio was $10 and match box sized
If everyone had the same perfect sound quality via a cheap small box that sat on the shelf that somehow streamed, amplified, and emitted stereo sound to your ears, would you prefer it that way or do you love having an imperfect system and enjoy the chase and tweaking.