I’m a believer in start with speakers and move backwards when upgrading. I currently own a pair of Joseph Audio Perspectives. After buying the speakers I’ve been through 4 DACs, 3 Amps, 2 Pre Amps and with every upgrade I came away thing wow these speakers are great. I’ve concluded I can’t afford the electronics to exceed the speakers. I guess my point is if you do an electronics, cable upgrade and can’t hear a difference it is time to look at your speakers. Just sharing my experience. Start with good speakers and evolve from the there!!!
"I'm a believer"
I’ve been around high end audio for a great number of years. I have had the opportunity to hear, at shows, at audiophile friends homes and at audio shops, a great number of high end speakers: old and new, from the low, to the ultra megabuck price ranges. I’ve heard very, very expensive speakers that didn’t sound so good to me, and then, I’ve heard vintage speakers or relatively affordable speakers that just knock my sock off. In all my personal experience in this great hobby of ours, IMHO, there is no other item in high end audio that fall under the "Rule of Diminishing Returns" like loudspeakers.