I agree that Daryl is correct!
Honestly, my advice is usually to buy the component you love. The likelihood is that your tastes will not change radically, so choosing a component that really fits you can make for a lasting purchase(remember those?).
It was just my way of assembling a system, but along the way, I always tried to buy the best component I could. Even if it was out of place with the rest of the system; several levels better. Why? I knew where I ultimately wanted to go, and my feeling was that I would be making the next upgrade in kind, all the way up until my system was complete.
In the end, I think my path to building the sytem I am happy with resulted in me not having to make multiple buys and sells and I can honestly say that I was able to hear improvement at each point.
One more thing(especially if you want to make sure you always hear improvement - but it's good advice in any circumstance), DO NOT GO CRAZY WITH CABLES UNTIL THE REST OF YOUR SYSTEM IS FINISHED. That isn't to say that cables aren't important or that they don't make a difference. They are and they do. But, concentrate on getting the meat and potatoes of the system where they should be first. I think that the differences in cables are often maximized at that point, due to the high level of system resolution(hopefully).
Having the right source, amplification, and loudspeakers will go the lion's share towards makeing you happy. Cable should be the thing that maximizes the performance of your final equipment purchases, which can only be right and at its most effective if its done last.
Disclaimer: In this age of digital transition, it's OK to invest in a lower priced front end before you invest in a reference quality high resolution machine(and maybe even do your cable - blasphemy, I know). I am currently in this mode - waiting things to progress.
I look long term, but then that's just me.
Honestly, my advice is usually to buy the component you love. The likelihood is that your tastes will not change radically, so choosing a component that really fits you can make for a lasting purchase(remember those?).
It was just my way of assembling a system, but along the way, I always tried to buy the best component I could. Even if it was out of place with the rest of the system; several levels better. Why? I knew where I ultimately wanted to go, and my feeling was that I would be making the next upgrade in kind, all the way up until my system was complete.
In the end, I think my path to building the sytem I am happy with resulted in me not having to make multiple buys and sells and I can honestly say that I was able to hear improvement at each point.
One more thing(especially if you want to make sure you always hear improvement - but it's good advice in any circumstance), DO NOT GO CRAZY WITH CABLES UNTIL THE REST OF YOUR SYSTEM IS FINISHED. That isn't to say that cables aren't important or that they don't make a difference. They are and they do. But, concentrate on getting the meat and potatoes of the system where they should be first. I think that the differences in cables are often maximized at that point, due to the high level of system resolution(hopefully).
Having the right source, amplification, and loudspeakers will go the lion's share towards makeing you happy. Cable should be the thing that maximizes the performance of your final equipment purchases, which can only be right and at its most effective if its done last.
Disclaimer: In this age of digital transition, it's OK to invest in a lower priced front end before you invest in a reference quality high resolution machine(and maybe even do your cable - blasphemy, I know). I am currently in this mode - waiting things to progress.
I look long term, but then that's just me.