The most important word of advise?

Avoid the slippery slope of snake oil.

Once you are "caught", there is no end of "must have" improvements because the needs that these devices fulfill or the problems that they cure are only limited by the technobabble that can be made up and the hyperbole of reviewers, manufacturers and forum testimonials.

Sooner or later you will find yourself doubting your own judgement, fretting about the type of copper in a piece wire, absolute phase, hanging on every comment from friends, audio forums and reviewers, and generally end up in a never ending merry go round of component rotation.

Snake Oil has the power to destroy the whole enjoyment of an audio system, which simply gets LOST for ever in an "Ocean of Doubt" : all you ever hear is what you have been led to beiieve could/might be wrong!

Never pay retail on high end electronics. Never buy obscure brands that will never resale or trade. In Audiogon when a vendor offers a product at retail click next,he has not grasp the concept yet and subsequently he will be out of business soon. JT

Rule #1: location-location-location
Room first, room treatment second (dont buy yet that is but put some $$$ aside for it, you likely will), speakers third..the rest can be done with well-designed inexpensive second-hand gear (south of $1,000 each): Carver, VanAlstine, Monarchy, etc. Cables? please....

The room first, though you can only work with what you've got to work with. Next, speakers that will work in your room. Finally an amp the will bring out the best in your speakers.