I generally make techno myself but i have produced a few hard dance type records under a different name for people that use my studio....here are a few things i try to think about when im making that stuff....

As with any music, dont put any sounds in without a reason for them being there....

Keep it uncluttered, be clever with whats there rather than adding more sounds....

Think about space, and where each sound sits within the mix, be subtle with your eqs and use a couple of different reverbs (not too much now) to largen things up.... leads need a good reverb....

Try to thin some sounds out with eq to leave breathing space for the phatties - i.e the kick, bass, and lead

Get to grips with programming filters - try filtering percussion post reverb to try and acheive that 'watery' sound

urm....god i could think of tonnes before i started writing....hmmm

oh, yes....dont forget to pan things about a little keep kick & bass central, but there is room for non bass heavy sounds to hang a tad on the left or right....this will help give other sounds space..

Oh, and get to grips with your delay, and try filtering down little delay patterns....

Relax when you listen to your track, close your eyes and think about Space, movement and flow - get it to sound smooth as poss...

running out of things now.....
no doubt illl think of more....but i hope those lil tips can be of some help to you....

sorry i cant be more help on the technical side (hardware n all that), but it its a bit of a mamouth conversation job really.....

oh, and dont take advice re. your equpment from just anyone.... I was given tonnes of bad advice when i was starting out - virtually everyone has a conflicting view and it can get even more confusing.....
And dont listen to those twats at turnkey ....they REALLY dont know what the **** they are on about....
Perhaps you should think about going to work in someones studio for a day that makes the kind of music you like....you might be able to glean a lot of info from them.....
Im going off on one like this cos i know what a mission it is and how frustrating when you are trying to get it all togethor on your own... Its aa slow process with noone to learn from, but the theory is that you develope your own unique style.....good luck