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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
sns
3,199 posts
 
Over many years and many systems. Synergy is everything and synergy is a constantly changing and evolving event. An upgrade in one area creates a weak link elsewhere. And this scenario continues until one dies or gets out of audio.
Is it possible to be an audiophile and maintain a static system?
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@dowto1000  Great post and nice to see discussion that is way different than what's commonly shared.

You pick the amplifier first, ................and the rest of the system follows suit.

+1 
skimrn OP
13 posts
 
Thank you for the inputs. I did not expect this discussion became a hot topic. I am enjoying everyone’s perspectives.@oem-wheels & @curiousjim-I could not test the Dynaudio + Marantz SA11S3 combo since I had to sell the Contour 30 & Oppo 205 in order to switch components.
Many of you still have the opinions about keeping the speaker budget higher, but my ears do not lie. I am forever a firm believer in front-end. Even the Oppo 205 (bought from the manufacturer) do not come close to the Marantz 11S3. My wife was a voice major(soprano) in her university days. The day that I hooked up the 11S3 and turn it on for the first time, she immediately told me that the sound is amazing. I cannot imagine if I had the budget to keep the Dynaudio Contour 30 to this Marantz. It will be even better.

I am slowly branching into cables now. All my budget went to components so I only have little wiggle room for cables. I am planning to get Wireworld Eclipse XLR interconnects. I will keep my Kimber 8TC speaker cables for now. Money is tight.
Post removed 
kahlenz's avatar
kahlenz
274 posts
 
All these percentages boggle my mind.  There are far too many variables.

I'm a speakers first guy.  Find some speakers that fit your room and sound good.  Then get amplification that has the right synergy with the speakers (this forum is a great place to get information on that, and a good dealer is priceless).  Then buy as good a front end as you can afford with the money left over.  Tweak and upgrade as you go, and have fun!

PS:  Start with the room first if you can afford it.

PPS:  It's no surprise the OP noticed a significant difference with a CD player that cost 7x the original.  I would venture to guess, however, that the OP would have noticed an even more significant difference if he would have kept the Oppo and bought some $14,000 speakers!
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