I think it's important to note that it's your money that being spent and your ears that are going to have to listen to whatever you purchase.  Other peoples' views are fine as a way of narrowing down the possibilities, but having heard some peoples' idea of what constitutes a 'great system' I take such views with huge pieces of rock salt.

It's like I said; the views of an expert in malt whisky are of no use to someone who can't stand the taste!