Hi Marbles,
I know where your at. I have a fairly good system (well actually 2) that I have spent so much hard earned money on over the years.
Recently, I bought a pair of sony headphones to listen to a jazz cd whilst I play my trumpet. Anyway I tried a few lesser quality cd's with it and they sound much more respectful sounding than on my system. Go figure!
Bob, good luck with your quest. Once you are addicted by this hobby and switch so much gear all the time in your system and have a good area for your system your wife won't even raise her head :cry (j/k).
Regards
Rod