??? Which Would You Buy ???

#3 is no brainer…85% of the sound quality + $5K in savings. There are no absolutes here, just preferences and an ever-deepening rabbit hole lined with audio bling and conflicting opinions. 

I have always found that when I compromise on what I really want in audio I feel unhappy and I tend to quickly trade the lesser component for what I wanted in the first place.  That’s not to say that I don’t investigate less expensive alternatives to the piece that I initially am attracted to, and frequently a lower priced piece will sound better to me.  It’s complicated 

I would probably go the cheaper route....#3. Why? Because I admittedly but not truly intentionally make bad choices. 

I would buy the cheaper unit. Eventually realize I want that extra 15% better & then sell item #3. Take a decent loss on the resale due to it being a lesser known or established manufacturer. Though if I paid full retail from most any manufacturer I am going to take a decent loss. 

After that has sold I'll end up buying one of those other pieces or something slightly better & all in all have spent more than the original $7k I had. 

I've done similar things.. numerous times. But I have a mental disorder when it comes to audio equipment. So my advice would be to look in the mirror & know thy self. If you can be content with item #3 & relish the thought of making a wise decision by saving some money then go for it. Otherwise just get the piece that gives you 100% of what you are looking for at the tippy top of your budget. 

Spend all the money on speakers 

Being an Individual who has been fortunate to have been included in numerous demo's where Sources - Analogue > CD > CD/DAC's - - Amp's - Phonostages > Pre's > Power in Valve and Solid State -- Speakers - ESL > Cabinet > OB -- Cables > Power > Speaker > Interconnect  are experienced in use on a owned system and non owned systems.

I can say that synergy between devices is where the magic is found, and I can state with conviction that price of a device does not create synergy, it is a discovery, the End Sound has an appeal that is just wanted to be kept on going.

Discovering Synergy is not pre planned to occur, and can be very difficult, almost impossible to duplicate in another system, using the device that worked so well in a role in another set up. 

With the above in mind, Home Demo's are critical to discover if synergy is to be produced or even good impression. 

Then there is the experiences of a produced End Sound that are very impressive, creating a Good Impression.

Good Impression is easier to discover and again does not need substantial sums laid out to find it as an End Sound.

There are devices that when used side by side are able to produce and End Sound that has a variance to assessments offered up by those listening, which usually results in a preference being shared that are not all for the same devices being demo'd.

I'm not a percentage person, but for the Thread lets state certain individuals will suggest a device is 60% - 85% capable as another that they prefer, as a result of short periods of exposure to a device in use.

Here is the interesting bit, when a device that has not been favoured by the whole of the listening group, has been re-entered into the system and allowed to play for an extended period, there is usually a outcome, where comments develop that are quite favourable and the attraction to the device has certainly increased.

Myself, I deliberately encourage the reuse of less favoured devices, to see what evolves.

I have heard devices that are very affordable become the chosen device in a particular system over devices costing up to 20x the purchase price / build price of the most expensive being used.

I strongly suggest a home demo' and also strongly suggest not to get caught up in the notion there is a certain value of budget needed to get the experience of an End Sound that is most impressive.