I think you need to think basics.
The point of Hi-Fi is to produce high quality sound, and even basic (Proper) hi-fi gear will do that, but the best way to look at it is to split the process into three distinct areas.
Source: Although I would normally put the speakers as top priority, even the best speakers and amplifier will not make a bad source signal good, for example I use an Xbox One X as my source (CD, DVD, Blu Ray, file player) I can pop in a CD, play .FLAC files (Higher res than MP3) and they sound great, but the Spotify app on the Xbox One doesn't have a setting to play high res files, so it sounds crap when played through my Pioneer receiver and Tannoy Cheviot speakers (It sounded just as crap through my Quad 33/405 combination). It is acceptable through the TV speakers for casual listening, but not if you want true hi-fi, it is like going back in time to the early cassette decks compared to a quality turntable with a good vinyl recording.
And as mentioned, stereo is two channel, playing stereo on multiple speakers just muddies the point of it, I have a receiver with 5.1 so capable of running two front, two rear and a centre speaker along with a sub woofer, but I just set it to stereo output and only have two speakers as in my opinion this is the best way to listen to stereo music. I intend to "upgrade" this receiver with a decent stereo amp soon (When I have some pennies and can finally make up my mind what one I want).
So having a good source is vital, a PC can do this but have a look at using .FLAC files compared to MP3 as some of the lower res MP3 files aren't up to Hi-Fi standard, no point spending money on good gear if the recordings are low res.
Amplification/other stuff, cables etc: Even budget modern amplifiers will sound OK, this wasn't always the case for example in the sixties or seventies, some budget amps were really crap (My first Amstrad as an example, the volume etc has sliders and made so much noise). Some people suggest spending lots on cables, I still use basic cables, I have listened to systems with expensive ones, I have tried some, but you don't "Need" them (I accept others disagree with this) especially if the source is suspect to start with.
Speakers/Room/Spacing etc: This is important, I would normally set up my speakers with the tweeters as near to head height as possible when you are sitting in your fav listening position, with the speakers set at about 35% either side of your chair (You can find the proper angle with diagrams online), if your speakers are large with good bass response (Like my Cheviots) you don't need to place them that near a back wall or corner, smaller bookshelf speakers sometimes need a little bit of help by going nearer to a wall or corner.
I have played with multi channel setups, but to me stereo is still the best way to listen to music and sorry to say for most multi channel films as well.
System a mixture of old and new.
Speakers Tannoy Cheviot, Amp Pioneer receiver but looking for something new, Source Xbox One X (For everything) via a Panasonic 65inch 4k HDR TV.
New to hi-fi.. what to buy?
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