Pretty much the same for me:
1) cables only matter so long as they are of the proper impedance and design...gains are very small at the least, and any loudspeaker buck per gain is a better upgrade.
2) components have little difference once you get into the better gear, but have more gains than cables....still until your speakers are paramount, it's not a valid concern outside of gee-whizz factor.
3) power is power, regulation is not needed, just get a noise filter if your worried about noise in your line and go enjoy some music already
4) please for the love of god, dont try to buy a micro-wonder system and expect it to sound good...5.25" 2-ways are pretty much the baseline, and for decent bass a 6.5" 2-way...anyhting less, and expect less.
5) more power does not equal better sound...better amp design equals better sound.
6) ruler flat response will reveal everything that is bad in your music...if you want to listen to mediocre recordings, either don't go there or have a second system that sounds good with those recordings around. I've learned that the hard way.
8) the room design is one of the largest factors in the final sound reproduction $50,000 speakers in a untreated room, placed right up to the wall is sacrilage, and makes my children which have not even been conceived yet cry....I can hear them right now.
9) Don't worry about trends, if you look for what performs well, that's all you need.
10) The GlenFidditch goes into the mouth, not onto the shirt.