First high end purchase

[lindsayt]

As you don't know anything about hi-fi, I'd initially be tempted to not do any research, book half a day with a dealer, give him a budget (and any requirements you may have, either physically or visually), and ask him to have a couple of systems ready for you to listen to that HE would actually pay for himself if he was in your position.

This really is the best way. Of all the equipment I've had over the last few years the biggest successes have been the things I've chosen following auditions and advice from a good dealer. Buying based on forum advice and reviews is a shortcut to wasting time and money.

And the biggest successes I've had has been by buying stuff not stocked by any dealer in the UK nor Denmark.

I suppose it all depends how ambitious you want to be with your high end sound quality vs money spent.