I think it’s the wrong question. The endgame is an illusion. The perfect system doesn’t exist, nor will it ever. Every single setup has strengths and weaknesses, but that’s kind of what makes the whole hobby fun.

I don’t do this as much anymore, but I loved my system, but always got antsy after a while for something new, something “better” in some way. I’d own it for a while, maybe years and years, then something else would catch my attention.

And my budget changed, so I could afford more expensive equipment, if I wanted it (within reason and what I could get my wife to agree on).

Paul McGowan at PS Audio had a good take on this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uytj1MvZMDQ

This is the way. There are some vintage processors that have all kinds of spatial effects. Not to my liking, but I think that’s what the OP is looking for.