Follow his advice and you can either save money and / or produce the best sound you can afford. His comments should be the mission statement for a hifidelity shop.
What is your system - classical and folk.
As a beginner, I would be interested in the equipment you all have purchased, if your favourite music is classical(both instrumental and choral), folk and any traditional style of music. That's what I listen to and it would be good to know what those of you with more experience have spent money on. It seems there would be a difference in requirements from those who listen to mostly rock.
John
John