Breakdown of audio investment

Just taking my best system at the moment, and contrasting with the last configuration;

now before

cd player 34% 27%
speakers 24% 19%
ttbl/cartridge 16% 13%
preamp 13% 23%
amp 9% 15%
cables 4% 3%

Actual cost. The retail price of the cdp would make it an even larger percentage (I paid about 60% for a demo). Although my wants do take overall cost into account, I pay what I have to pay to get what I want. I went to a less expensive preamp and less expensive amp because I liked the cheaper ones just the same as the ones they replaced, but the current preamp is easier on tubes and the current amp takes up less room in the rack.

Except for the price of the cd player, the percentages correspond with where I place my priorities. It just so happened that I was never really satisfied with a cheaper cdp, though I think today I could probably find something cheap that would be fine. And, I would pay a lot more for speakers if I had to, and would own the speakers I have even if it meant I had to use a $200 minisystem to drive them. (I've tried that and it wasnt that bad.)

I don't buy anything brand new. The first percentage reflects the price I actually paid for the items (and the entire system), while the second reflects the retail cost of the same items. I don't know what relevence this may have other than giving an idea of where the best deals I got were

CDP/DAC Digital Front End 20%/28%
Amps 18%/15%
IC's and Speaker Cables 16%/8%
Speakers 14%/20%
Pre amp 11%/10%
Power Conditioners 8%/5%
Power Cords 7%/10%
DIY Isolation 6%/4%

I was surprised how much I'd spent on cabling. I got a fantastic deal on my LaScala's from a local audiophile, so the purchase percentage is not really a realistic relationship of the value of that component in my system. The retail percentages (the second numbers) are more a realistic representation of where the value of the actual components fall against one and other, and are a pretty good reflection of exactly how I'd rate their priorities for my use. I'd probably put the pre-amp on the same level or above the amps, yet I'm very happy with the synergy between the components I currently use.

Interesting thread!

I've done this before in threads here on A'Gon, but not recently:
1. Speakers--------------- 27%
2. Transport + DAC-------- 27%
3. Amp + Pre-amp---------- 18%
4. Dedicated AC system----- 3%
5. CDR & Tuner------------- 3%
6. Rack-------------------- 2%
7. ICs, spkr cables, Active
Shielding, power cords,
and tweaks---------------20%
Cheers. Craig

Thanks to those who replied to my post so far. For those who asked, what I'm mainly interested in is how much of your system's value is attributable to stuff such as cables, racks, tweaks, power conditioners, etc. I was quite surprised to realize that close to 40% of my system's worth is due to such items. Have I gone overboard or is this ratio "acceptable" or widespread among audiophiles?

I think you are going to find answers all over the map that will result in no helpful answer. There is no guarantee in this hobby that more money spent in one area over another will result in better sound.

All major components in about the same price area is a good place to start. Since everyone above is hovering around +/- 20% each, seems to indicate this. I have spent more on cables than most.