Reference is reference.
if a studio release is well done, you'll know it. If your AUD recordings are well done, you'll know that as well. I'm saying that a good reference system will shine no matter what you feed it for material. It will also show you whats wrong.
whats the point of a "monster rig" when you are listening to it through a stereo that is not on the same level?
once you finaly get to that point, then taping becomes MUCH more fun, imo.
You may come to find that once you build a great stereo your recording rig may not sound right to you anymore.
Better to have an honest system and then rebuild the recording gear. After all, how can you be sure you have just what you wanted in that regard if you are not really hearing it?
My tastes in recording gear certainly changed after I got into high end (somewhat high end anyway) playback.