The rule of thumb I have most often seen is 30% on speakers, 30% on amplification (integrated or separate pre and power amps), 30% on the front end (streamer/DAC or TT/TM/Cartridge) and 10% on cables. I am an old audiophile and remember articles from Linn weighting the spend to the front end and reducing the spend for the speakers and amplification. Years ago when the performance of digital equipment and lower cost analogue was not as good as today there was merit to that philosophy. I did follow that philosophy with my first digital front end (Sonic Frontiers Processor 3/Iris Player). But digital front end equipment and lower cost analogue has improved so I would follow the 30/30/30/10 rules. Of course this is all generalization and your decision should not be based on a ratio but on system synergy and your own preferences in sound quality.
??? How Much Would You Spend ???
I’m curious about something...Lets say your going to build a system for a smallish room...For a hundred years,the recommendation is choose speakers first,then build around them...
So you fall completely under the spell of a pair of speakers with a $12,500.00 MSRP...What is the minimum amount you would spend just for your amplification with no eye towards any future upgrade?
Thanks for your participation,it is appreciated..