I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but, it's all subjective. The way a system sounds is completly dependent upon YOU. Hey, it's your brain. There is no "BEST" system evaululated over a time span. We all know that our systems sound good, better, best, depending on lots of variables. I say, be bullheaded and pick some general type of components and enjoy. Spend your money on software, not on never ending componet changes. Enjoy the music.
Tube v. Solid State / Analog v. Digital
WHAT'S THE DEAL? I'M NOT AN ENGINEER OR AN AUDIOPHILE. I HAVE HAD KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE SAY THE GOAL IS NO DISTORTION AND THAT CAN BEST BE ACHIEVED IN A DIGITAL/SOLID STATE/CD REALM. OTHER KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE SAY THAT'S NOT TRUE. TUBES/ANALOG/VINYL IS IT. ALL I KNOW IS THAT DIGITAL/SOLID STATE/ CD IS SUBJECT TO MEASUREMENT AND ANALOG/TUBE/VINYL IS BASICALLY NOT. TO ME THE ULTIMATE OXYMORON IS A CD PLAYER WITH A TUBE STAGE IN IT. WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE?