Hi Mike, thanks for your kind remarks on my 3-piece guarneri system. that speaker is the cornerstone of my listening and I am also relatively new to audio. I have been told it will apparently open up with 10k worth of electronics, which I have not yet had the chance (will!?) to invest. I'm glad you also share my approach on simplicity. I find too many systems, IMHO, emphasize getting the latest, newest, greatest, which distracts from pure listening. My preference: great CDP, great integrated Amp, great pair of monitors.
That is funny about "all out assault" (!) usually the only systems in that category have $250+k of gear :)