https://www.amazon.com/McIntosh-Love-Music-Ken-Kessler/dp/0978723600

Specific to Macintosh so maybe not what you are looking for.

I followed this video to the T and it helped me to set up my room corrections - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev1bSSL8tRA

It is definitely not as easy as Denon but once set correctly the results are much better.

Take the time to get your listening environment maximized (positioning of speakers, rugs, furniture, etc.). Once you have done this a good quality dsp (minidsp) for a 2, 2.1, etc. channel system can work wonders.

Invest your money in the best possible recordings ahead of new equipment.

I’ve generally thought to avoid Mcintosh items built between 1990 and 2003. They were bought by clarion and some unfortunate cost cutting happened in those years.

Be careful with any US electronics built between 2003 and 2008-2012 timeframe. I’m not sure of the exact time frame the problems were resolved. In 2003 Rohs solder regulations/laws were passed outlawing/limiting the use of lead free solder. I’m not sure of the exact details (feel free to Google) but the early lead free solder was not the best. Is electronics of this time could have issues with their electrical connections.

The only areas you might miss out on:

• Some older CD players don’t have the best DAC’s in them where a noticeable improvement can be had by improving that. If you bought your CD player in the past 10-15 years you’re probably fine unless you went with an absolute garbage model.
• If a recording, or perhaps a remaster, only comes out on SACD that you wanted to listen to. I don’t know if this is actually a concern. I would guess that everything that comes out on SACD would also come out on CD.

You’d be better off worrying about having the best quality recording/best version of whatever you are listening to.