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Which area of components to spend the most $ on? Boy I was wrong all my life!

I have been an audio junkie for about 25 years. All those years, I have read plenty of discussion posts and recommendations where to spend the most money on. The majority, even the experts recommend to spend the most money on speakers. Up to as high as 60% of the total budget.Example: CEO of PS Audio-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYwL7vPkPhg
I believed this all my life. Today, my eyes are opened. My total budget is about $15K.Before today, my system was:Speakers-Revel F36 Concerta 2 (For the money, this is the best speakers I’ve heard. I like it more than my previous Dynaudio Contour 30)Integrated Amp-Marantz PM-10 (Class D, balanced, 400wpc at 4ohms)CD Player-Oppo UDP 205 & Marantz CD 6005 (Some of the best in class)Line conditioner-Furman Elite PFi 15Cables-Kimber 8TC Speaker Cables (Sorry, not a cable nut. I’d rather spend money elsewhere)
I upgraded my front end CD player to... Marantz SA-11S3. I was BLOWN away! This is the greatest upgrade I have ever heard in my life. For 25 years, I was taught to spend the most in speakers. Sorry! It’s the FRONT END! The best source you can afford. The purity transcends down the river. I am blown away by the sheer improvement in detail, clarity, depth, the air around the instruments.
My philosophy has changed.
skimrn
andrei_nz
192 posts
 
audiotroy1,424 postsThe OP just discovered that a system is dependent on the quality of all of its components.

I agree. 
As an aside I consider the best reviewer to be the lone audiophile.  This is because he is intimately aware of his own system.  A small change is noticeable, something that others probably would not hear.  A large change and ... well, veils get lifted.
oem-wheels
196 posts
 
Have you tried 

  • Dynaudio Contour 30 ($7500) + Marantz SA-11S3 CD Player ($4000)=$11,500  ??





76doublebass's avatar
76doublebass
254 posts
 
Always start at the front end and you will be rewarded greatly ; but eventually you'll want to fine tune the system to what your ears say it to be. I suppose my priorities with the ear thing may be changing since I'm approaching 65.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,841 posts
 
Reminds of a poster I saw...

Ferrari lying wrecked in the trees over the armco... wet pavement...
driver ( Italian) having a cigarette while waiting for the wrecker..
caption in Italian

”good tires, not great tires”...

spend wisely


tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,841 posts
 
 @elizabeth Your system math will be out of whack, your speakers one of the best values in all of the high end... and have been since the company was founded...,


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