I've reached the conclusion that what I have sought in hifi clearly relates to some unresolved childhood issue of seeking soothing or maybe it was just the drugs!
So, when I bought that 1st system back in the mid 80s the context was that I was 22yrs old and in the middle of a grieving process of having lost my 1st love, smoking heavy amounts of weed and feeling very melancholic. No wonder the system sounded so good LOL...
Anyway, sold it and nothing for a long time ever sounded so good.
Forward the tape, following lots of box swapping. I'm now ancient, married, settled and more together than I ever was and apart from obvious mismatches of gear seem more accepting of my gear and able to listen to the music.
Having said that though, I'm currently in the market for a new set of speakers
VPI Scout 1.1, Hana ML, Vanderveen MC10 SUT, WAD Phono3, Rpi3B+/Digione Signature, Xiang Sheng DAC-01, WAD KiT6550 and Reiver Edingdale SR