I've kept a detailed audio journal for over twenty years. I've looked back through the journals and the angst and disappointments of so many entries makes me wonder how I had such persistence. Based on journal entries I perceived my system worthy of audiophile quality around five years ago, lots of 'best ever' entries since then. For myself, I had to reach a level of resolution that gave illusion of performers in room. I continue to reach new plateaus, which means less mind games to convince oneself there are flesh and blood performers in room
. I'm convinced further gains are in future, so, at least in my case, a self defined audiophile system is not an end point. One can reach one mountain top only to see another higher mountain in the distance. I can say it does feel great to reach those lower mountain tops, it all becomes good at some point.