Percentage to spend on Amp and Speakers

For $2k you should be able to secure a high quality speaker. You should consider getting a speaker that is an easy load on an amplifier and doesn't require high wattages for best sound. This will give you maximum flexibility in picking an amplifier. Ideally, you speakers should be good enough to remain in your system even after one level of upgrade on the source/electronics. As a rough guide, spend equivalent amounts on the source and speakers (in this case $2k each) and spend half that amount ($1k) on your amplifier. Great cables are expensive, but good cables are relatively cheap ($100-250). The same goes for interconnects. At this price level, it's more cost effective to go with an integrated amp which will also help you save on cable costs. There is a wide divergence of opinion on this topic and no answer is necessarily correct. Hope this helps.

Avguy, please amplify, if Miked spends $2k on speakers, are you really urging him to spend a similar amount on wire? I agree with you when you note that an inexpensive speaker w/ a high cost/quality amp will sound more musically satisfying than an expensive speaker mated to a cheap amp. Yet, I disagree with elevating wire to an equal status with source components or speakers. I'm particularly adamant in my position for systems costing less than $5k. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not saying wire is not important, especially if your system cost $20k plus -- but otherwise it's only wire.