How does one get off the merry-go-round?

I got off the merry-go-round.
I'm fifty one and have had a better than average stereo since I was eighteen.
Speakers and amps, while they are not all created equal a person can learn to enjoy what they've got.
I've been lucky enough to have never lived in an area where the quality of the electrical signal effected the sound in any major negative manner. So I have no appreciation for high dollar power cords and have also come to realize that high dollar cabling to my ears is basically a waste of money.
Too many of us have forgotten why we bought a stereo in the first place. To enjoy the music. Which is where I'm back to after a quest that included many detours, pitfalls and poor decisions.
To answer this thread's orginator question: Put together a simple system that let's you go back to just enjoying the music.

Don't spend any money.

Art,

I have the Shure e3, and an MP3 player (not apple). It isn't powerful enough to drive the e3s.

Does the ipod have more power without using an amp because I do like the sound of the Shures

Good post hbarrel

It is a cry for help! Donate you gear and records to a worthwhile charity and find peace. Join a Buddhist monastery and contemplate the sound of one hand clapping.
Or realize to tweak is humanly audiophile
and to kick back and just enjoy the music is divine. Cheers!