The "audiophile gear" I REALLY need is a damn house.

I'm here in my apartment trying to enjoy the Coachella streams and feeling self-conscious about 30 measly watts because my always-quiet neighbors have their front door open trying to enjoy a beautiful spring day. I need a house out in the middle of nowhere so I can actually turn up without bothering people https://100001.onl/.

I got this,...

The headphone recommendation is really great for 2 reasons. 

1) no room reflection. What you hear is just music. 

2) very easy to get 100+ db. Some really good headphones like the Meze Empyrean, maintains full composure regardless of volume. 

Especially today, a home is a huge step.

If you're currently living alone begin by getting your speakers out in the room. This establishes territory for the potential significant other and introduces them to the sound stage, the reasoning behind it all. You'll be including them in your systems workings, especially the turntable, from day one.

Remember, If they brake something you get to upgrade...I mean replace it. 

A headphone system is the way to go. You can achieve roughly the same sound quality for 1 / 10th the cost. I have the most amazing headphone system that I put together for around $15K that sounds very similar to my $150K main system.

So, you can develop test and zero in on the sound you want for a fraction of the cost of experimenting and evolving a main system. Then, when you are finally able to buy that house you will know what sound you want.

This is actually how I got to my system today. I improved my headphone system to “perfection”… for me. Then listened to my main system and realized it was sterile and anemic… so, an additional $75K later I brought my main system to sound like my headphone system.