My end game setup, including the room would be centered around top of the line MBL speakers. If I can't afford those, then one notch down in MBL lineup - 101 E vs. 101 xtreme in current lineup. A good tube preamp would be next, and 101 Es have very poor sensitivity of 81 db, so a good strong set of solid state amps would be in order. I doubt I would be able to afford x-tremes, and even if I had $200K to spend on something awesome made in Germany, a Porsche would be much higher on the priority list.
What is Your End Game System?
How do you "measure" your end game system? Is it by budget, how much it cost? Is it by the luxuriousness of your build and room?
Is it by your components being either state of the art or unobtanium? Is it by the satisfaction you get when you are sitting in your listening chair?
What is your end game system and how do you know when you have reached it?