Setting up a system takes a lot of work but it’s free. Outfitting a great system is easy, but it costs a lot of money.
Which has the most value?
If I had to choose, I would suggest setup trumps equipment. I say this because some of the most expensive systems I have heard sounded dreadful when the setup person or the room didn’t honor the music.
A mediocre set of equipment with exquisite setup will typically be more musically satisfying than a poorly setup expensive arrangement.
Of course, when you can get both equipment and setup perfected, that’s when the magic happens.
