[prepress]

For entertainment purposes only:

One result of all the curiosity and resultant exploring is that I have an idea of what my ideal system(s) might be. For the heck of it, there are a real-world fantasy system and an ultimate fantasy system. The "real-world" system is based on the current setup, the individual pieces are within reach or just outside it financially, and it applies to my current living circumstances; the "ultimate" system assumes sufficient finances and space.

Real-world
VPI Classic 1, unipivot arm/SME 309, Grado Sonata Reference
Parasound JC 3+
Pioneer Elite BDP-09FD
Pioneer Elite DVL-91
Oppo BDP-83
DVDO Duo/Lumagen Radiance 2124
Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD
McIntosh MCD550
McIntosh MR88
McIntosh C48
McIntosh MC501
Mirage M-3si
Pangea HD-26L
MIT AVT
Transparent MusicLink Plus
Kimber 12TC
Wireworld Electra
Furman SPR-20, Elite-15PFi
Magnum Dynalab ST-2

Ultimate
SME 30/12, SME 309, Grado Sonata Reference
Parasound JC 3+
Pioneer Elite BPD-09FD
Pioneer Elite DVL-91
Pioneer Elite BDP-88FD
Lumagen Radiance 2144
LG 65EC9700 OLED
McIntosh MCD1100
McIntosh MR88
McIntosh C1000 or VTL TL6.5 Series II Signature
McIntosh MC501
McIntosh XR200
Pangea HD-24PCE
MIT AVT
Transparent MusicLink Plus
Kimber 12TC or Transparent MusicWave Plus
Wireworld Electra/Kimber PK-10 Ascent/Shunyata Venom HC
Furman SPR-20, Elite-15PFi
Magnum Dynalab ST-2

The Ultimate system will never happen. Some of the Real-world system has a chance, at least for the next few years. It will depend upon how strong my curiosity and resultant drives are, as well as what I think my wallet can stand.