Your journey...to Audio Note (and beyond?)

I have heard from more than one experienced audiophile that they went through a lot of gear and learning before they arrived at an Audio Note system.

I know not everyone arrived at this place -- probably most of you did not -- but for those who did I’d be interested in a brief account of:

(a) the gear or systems you had along the way

(b) what you felt was missing (or perhaps ill-fitting your space) that AN provided.

Finally, for those who decided to leave this Xanadu, what ultimately drove you on to the next thing?