2. misc-audio
  3. 174759-158023

$100K system build - % breakdown of spend

I know there are several such breakdowns all over the web, but each different in one way or another. Thanks in advance for anyone willing to lend thoughts here.

Assuming $100K to build a system (indifferent between new/used) with equal time spent and enjoyment from streaming and vinyl (for now leaving out other digital and other analog), does the following ballpark seem reasonable? If you’d bump something up, what would you bump down?

Speakers - $30K

Subs - $5K

Amp(s) - $20K

Preamp - $10K

TT, cartridge, arm, phono preamp - $10K

DAC - $5K

Streamer - $5K

Cables, Interconnects, Power Cords, Power Cond/Regen - $10K

Isolation Products, room treatments and system rack(s) - $5K

 

Leaving out for now fuses, contact enhancers and the like. 
 

Thanks again for any thoughts. 

coys21

Showing 2 responses by carlsbad

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

I'd be disappointed if I couldn't put together a $100k system without subs.

I'd set a lot more aside for the DAC, perhaps the most expensive component in a modern system.  My system is much less than $100k but the DAC retails for $13K.  

I'd probably end up with an integrated tube amp.  But if buying separates, I'd make the amp and pre-amp the same amount.  I'd probably go with the Nagra pre and perhaps Pass amp.  I'd get efficient speakers and buy a 50wpc amp.  Although the amp may have expensive components, the pre-amp is more important to sound.  Anything added (or taken away) by the preamp just gets amplified by the AMP.  GIGO.

 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

"I recommend you start by reading Robert Haley’s Complete Guide to High End Audio."

Is that available on audiobook?  :-)

 

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