Order of importance and budget percentages

In my experience power cords 1st . 

I’d pick my loudspeaker first, then see what cable works well with it. I don’t believe in fixed percentage budgets, you buy what you need, no more no less.

For example if you bought Magnepan 30s you would have tons of money left over for the other gear. 

Once after I wrecked my Mustang my dad joked that I should just take the radiator cap and go find something to match.  I guess you can take a power cord and start building a system around it about the same way.

I spend every penny I can on components. I enjoy them. Once broken in and I know what they sound like… 600 to 1000 hours. Then I start thinking about upgrading cables and interconnects.

For one thing, you have to know what your new system sounds like… this takes time. Also, you can start accumulating funds in small amounts to start thinking about additional costs.

Typically… I’ll enjoy my new components for some months, then do some speaker and room changes. Then, I swap some cables or interconnects from what I have around. This helps me formulate an idea of how to fine tune the system. Then over a couple years or so I will replace/upgrade cables and interconnects to achieve maximum performance. Then I just listen to music for the next five or ten years until my next upgrade cycle.

I focused on components first then cables.
 

What are you envisioning for your new system?

What are you envisioning for your new system?

a wire with gain… 😍

I would forget buying piecemeal and split the budget 15% room treatments, 10% power conditioner, 25% for source (s) and 50% on active speaker system like the KEK LS60, the Devilet Phantoms, the Dynaudio Focus XD series, etc.

I would forget buying piecemeal and split the budget 15% room treatments, 10% power conditioner, 25% for source (s) and 50% on active speaker system like the KEK LS60, the Devilet Phantoms, the Dynaudio Focus XD series, etc.

That certainly cuts out many of the cables.

Components first (seems you’ve got that covered), room next. 
Then…power conditioner for your source, power cord for the conditioner, power cord for the amp, speaker cables next. Interconnects, USB, ethernet. 
Get the best you can even if it is gradually one cable at a time. I’m not inclined to set budget limit of percentage of the component cost as I don’t adhere to any of these guidelines in my system. Get used from reputable sellers. 

So you already have passive speakers @systembuilder ?
The speaker cables are generally more important than ICs, expect maybe TT IC.

I would go 50 to 60% speakers, 30 - 35% on Pre/power/integrated/sources, that should leave about 15% at least for room treatment, and maybe 5% for cables and power conditioning. Don’t spend more than $10 on Ethernet. Uptone and other products are 100% snake oil. 

I’d spend $20k on speakers, $10k on amp/pre, $10k on source, $5k on cables, and $5k on a power conditioner for a $50k system.  Just a rough guideline, but adjust as necessary as overall system balance/synergy is absolutely key.  I left out room treatments, but they’re likely a necessity as well to get the most out of the system.  

@soix +1 

My breakdown is similar - budget and breakdown.   And I expect my system may evolve in the future; however, I expect my cables /power accessories are my forever cables.  

@overthemoon I hear ya, but I’d never use the word “forever” in this hobby — it’s both a fantasy and the kiss of death.