building the best system I can?

Wmbode - I recommend a good integrated amp instead of separates to maximize sonic value per dollar spent. Many great choices, of course, and that approach will also save on the number of ICs. For ICs and speaker cables, the best sonic value I have experienced is Auditorium 23.

Regarding digital sources, can you be more specific? In example, a CD player or a music server system?

You might get more (not necessarily better, though) responses re your digital source question by starting another thread in the "Digital" forum.