Yes, and came to similar conclusions. I became a bit ocd with it all as I was convinced it must be me not doing something right, after all, magazines in the UK such as Whathifi said there significant improvements to be had, right? I had spent a lot of money when I was younger with this becoming my hobby. Most disposable income would go on upgrades so I was desperate to hear big improvements.
This led me on the path of upgrading cables, isolation feet, room positioning, infinite attempts at different speaker toe in angles, isolating the electronics etc. The only significant, discernible darn difference came from upgrading speakers and changing the room.