Weakest link

We are talking about systems that already sound good, not about 'start-ups', you know. But if you mean strengthening the source when embarking on entire system upgrade path leading to a higher level of performance, then why not, depends on what you have and can afford. In my case, the first step would be speakers not the source, then amps.

You can build a very balanced system with no clear weakest link. That's what I have been trying to achieve. Once done you can relax and enjoy it until you feel the need to take it to another level, step by step.

I could view the system as consisting of three elements which in turn consist of sub-elements: Source, 'wire with gain' and speakers/room. I believe any of them can be the weakest link. In my system source feels as the strongest element with the other two about equal.

Ivan, you are not ranting, this is all good and to the point. I think, you are the first here to mention audiophile instinct, sharpened articulated and generally advanced by listening knowledge and experience. That's very important.
I like this kind of slightly relaxed but well controlled and poweful dynamic sound. I could think of best Conde Hermanos acoustic guitars as an analogy. Heard live only one - played by Paco de Lucia. What a sound.

ivan, that's very thoughtful. Yeah, when the system is operating as a whole and especially when operating already quite well, how to separate the contribution of each element and each interaction.
In another, this time hypothetical example, if the music has insufficient drive pace and flow, I would look at the source before anything else.

I started this thread for the sake of the discussion, that was just an example.

I'll give you an example. Recently I got a little dissatisfied with how fast guitar musical passages sound. I thought that the dynamics was somewhat constrained, though still quite good. My amp has more than enough power and current and speed for the speakers and the room. A thought occurred that it might be the power cord on the amp. The amp is Redgum RGi120 integrated with passive preamp and 120wt/ch power amp and I have Custom Power Cord Company Top Gun on it. Top Gun was designed for mostly source components and preamps, it has a filter network, but works fine for not big amps. Works great with my phono stage, another Top Gun. All the stuff is plugged in PS Audio Premier which can theoretically limit the dynamics when you push it hard. So I plugged the amp in the wall and the sound got so bad, including the dynamics, that the comparison was ridiculous. Anyway, I took a risk and bought Purist Audio Dominus Rev. B Ferox power cord. Didn't receive it yet. Now this should be interesting. My interconnects and speaker cables are Purist as well but not Dominus, newest Neptune RCAs and original Colossus speaker.