Hello Spokane540iA.
I am not sure that I understand the questions that you asked. However, let me try to answer my best.
If you asked me what I want to achieve by dabbling in audio, then the answer is very simple. I want to experience myself what others have experienced in their journeys, and find out what is true and what is not so true, at least for me. Then share that experience as others have done. I got curious when people talked about depth, sound stage, dynamics, how room matters, etc, and I want to test and know myself what they are talking about. I read a lot about the controversy on cables and interconnects, and that is what I am investigating now. Still, many have talked about recapping, sealing the cabinets, litz cable, etc and those are what I would like to try next. I simply love trying new things and doing things with my hands.
I got into audio for two reasons. First, to find a hobby and second to remember my dad who had since passed away. We did not get along very well, especially during the latter stage of his life, and audio was likely the one of the very few that we had in common. Few of the regrets in my life that I did not get into audio early enough so that we could have better conversational pieces. I focus only on infinity speakers as that was the brand that my dad spent most of his audio time with. Thinking about it now, it may be a subconscious way for me to remember the memory of him.
If you asked me about the kind of music that I like, then I focus mostly on cultural folk songs and some classics. I bought the stereophile CD (#2) that you suggested and I have used it to do tests on the RS-2b's. That is an excellent CD.
Though I read a lot, I am not an audio expert and certainly not an audiophile by any standard, thus cannot offer any meaningful suggestion beyond just casual comments. I just like knowing more people and meeting more friends here at AK. There is one comment, I believe from tedrick, who stated that the journey is half the fun. I found this to be very very true for me.
I hope that I have answered your questions.