You are so right.  But, you do not have to wait.  Some of the best music I have heard has come from modified Adcom amps and modified Hafler amps.  Generally, you can be in for under $2,000 and on some, under $1,000.  Another often overlooked treasure are the Meitnor amps, either modified or unmodified.  I purchased a 100 watt per channel Meitner for $450.  The best known upgrader will do so for under $800.  The amp is so good now, it will be hard to believe what it will sound like modified.  In Turntable land, there are many VPI HW's and Jr.s out there for under a grand.  With all of the upgrades available, you can have a great table for the cost of entry-level tables today.  The very best budget speakers I know are the Snell "e" often available for under $500.00,  Basically the e is the speaker that Art Dudley uses.

It is a great time to be in this hobby.

Tom