What is proper ratio of money spent on amp/preamp/integrated vs speakers? 1:1?


Lately I'm finding more of a difference in SQ as a move up the chain in the amp/preamp/integrated market and not so much if I try to upgrade speakers.  Plus, buying and selling (and shipping) speakers is a PITA.  But having just upgraded from Devialet D200 to the dual mono D400 and loving it, it feels odd having $8000 (I'm in the used market almost exclusively) worth of power running $4000 worth of speakers, Dynaudio Contour 30's. 

I'm now wanting to upgrade again to the Expert Pro 440, but then we're taking about $10,000 and even more of a skewed ratio.
What is the proper ratio?  Thoughts?
mjmcubfn

Showing 1 response by mzkmxcv

Rule of thumb is that speakers (including subs) should be 1/2 your budget. If buying used gear it throws it off, but still. 
 
If a $1000 speaker needs a $2000 amp to sound good, then it’s not a good speaker. 
 
How I would spend $10,000: 
 
• -$3000: Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers w/RAAL. 
• -$1800: Dual Rythmik F12 subs. 
• -$1000: Room treatment.  
• -$1300: MiniDSP SHD. 
• -$2200: ATI AT522NC amp. 
• -$700: Cables (don’t need to spend this much, but why not).