Qualities Of An End-game System

The reason why my small speakers are so good in spite of their physical limitations which is their small size is the way i modified them is inspired by the concept of transmission line speakers and the Helmholtz resonators principle...

I redesigned the rear porthole with a bundle of different straws of different size and length (max 3 feet ) inserted behind the speakers in the porthole. my speakers are now 50 hertz instead of 80 hertz and clear bass and no negative trade-off... I also redesigned the wave guide to make it better at near listening by putting a cylinder of optimal length near 6 inches...

now these speakers which were well reviewed when i bought them but which i disliked sound like a 1000 bucks small speakers not like a 100 bucks one... I love them so much i will not need to upgrade if they fail ... I will buy another one and modify them the same way ...

High end : basic acoustics knowledge ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_line_loudspeaker

I applaud Mahgister for being happy  with with his low cost system.  Most of us keep throwing money at ours with small incremental upgrades.  [myself included.]  Theoretically,  what more do we need besides the enjoyment of music?  The other side of my brain sees it differently at times.

Theoretically,  what more do we need besides the enjoyment of music?  

Some of us like to tinker and hear differences. It is not only about the music.

The notion that upgrading or changing is only due to OCD is false, or this wouldn't be a legitimate hobby, it would be a psychological support group. I'm not saying you said this, but too many people equate changing things or upgrading things with a disease. This is a puritanical kind of remark and I reject it.

"End Game" seems like a variable term defined by expectations. reaching expectations is the end.

so my 'end game' would be different than yours. 

OTOH an 'ultimate system' might have certain commonalities, which i would agree include hearing the music and not gear or the room. that the music has flow and is lively, extended in the highs and lows, and has sufficient headroom to render large music naturally. and that it connects with the listener emotionally and is immersive and exciting.

This is right and also my own experience...

I just bought a headphone pair  by curiosity  and sell them  the same week ... 😊

But we must distinguish those who are in a not so useful  upgrades race as a solution instead  of basic knowledge experiments...

It is more about ignorance than OCD ...

Some of us like to tinker and hear differences. It is not only about the music