SME Model 10 How much should I spend on speakers?

I agree to dump sony.Then fix a size and a budget.If you think you can set up the Revels (have enough room) and can swing the $8K (no discount for used too new) but I suso\pect the new 803 Diamoind from B&W would blow you away.Such purity in the hiugh end has heretofore only been obtainable with ribbons.If you room (and wife)can handle it the Maggie 3.6 with a uper fast (expensive) sub is the choice.Look at the figures.Over the years the Old B&W 801 was the best selling individual Audiophile lodspeaker and they are compaeteitve at each price level.But go back 25 years and you will find that more Audiophiles have bnought Magnepan as a BRAND than any other speaker and the 3.6 is probaly the most speaker for the least money you cfan get.But it's a stange question.First I say get the best purest source components you can find.Or so this last.Then decide on the speaker you want and can affors.If it's the $20K Arriels you'd be a veryy happy person.Then choose an ap that can drive them peoperly with.Lastly get the pre the get;''s ther ;lest in the way or compliments the whole system,.I am always amazed at how somebofy looks for the loudspeaker the ultimate tranducer and item that will affect the sound the most and then buy another product to "match it" when it should totally the other way around.If you like the new (or classic)Qauds get a medium powered tube amp to drive them.Magenpans (maybe the best bang for the buck speaker for ages now),Audio Physic,Quad,B&W,Gershman,Infinty,Dali's Preludes,Ariels,Harbeths,Spendors,Sonus Fabors even the new NHT systemm that does not need an amp and sound fantastic do to it's digital processor-german,Italy,England (all components bay and large are desgined to please a domestic market first the worlsd second).You are in great shape.You have a fabulous table get a good cartidge (a whole nother question-string from low output MC to MM etc-but you are in great shape with the PS.I can't afford a steelhead or even a $4500 Rhea nor a $4K EAR 324 but the PS probaly beats them COST wise anyway plus has all the features and flexiblity you need.I plan to bnuy one for my EAR 834 40 watt tube amp to feed my $6500 Odeon Tosca semi horns).The world is your oyster with a good cartridge.You might even consider the new "Integratedd" PS Audio ampos-class A Srtereophile rating with future flexiblity in that you can defeat either the amp ection to use another amp or deafeat te pre-amp section if the of the new digital pre/processors like the amzing $3,500 DEQX 2.6 pre processor which not only optimizes the capacities of the speaker elements from box to drivers bnut corrects for room anomalies as well.Or because you want a touchj of tubes with a glass pre.Clear yopur mind and even if it takles travel anmd listen to the many great speakers availible in this market and choose it.Then a stack of tube gear or the PS stuff where you can get everything from the highly touted power copnditoner to amps to even cables might be the ticket.Set a budget and do reserch here on Audiogon doing string searches and do same on Audio Asylum.You rae in a geat position now having a great tables ,very good phono section (both have more impact on sound thattables and arsm though ther you have to choose carefully since you still play wax.I am going to get the PS you have since I can change my VPI arms.cratidges for low ouput MC to a mono Grado for those jazz LP's pressed that way.The PS will allow quick changes of load.caitanmceas well as ,mono and phase.At least you didn't buy an amp snd ask "what speakers" a common and to me bizzare way of constructing a good sounding synergystic system.If you are limited in your area call Bes Nivera at Muic Direct for sage advice.
G'luck
Chazzbo

If I were in your shoes I'd do the speakers first as this will help dictate on which kind of amp to purchase, wheather being tubes or solid state. I think speaker purchases are done far less than components at least for me it is as I tend to keep speakers for 4-5 years as they are most likely one of the higest cost items in one's rig. Just the way I see it!

I upgraded from a Thorens TD126mkII and absolutly love my SME-10. When I upgraded my audio chain I went from the speakers back to the source. Until I finished I could hear the limitations of the upstream components. So, my recommendation is to work from the source to the speakers. If you like your speakers and they work well in your environment, keep them.

Wow thanks for all the responses. I just typed out responses to most of you but then I went to look at someones system and I clicked back and lost what I typed.

In short...
Sony Amp:
Its going at some point. I am waiting for hopefully a smaller pair of monoblocks from Halcro.

Integrated amp:
Manley is coming out with a new integrated amp soon. The "Manta ray". Similar to the Stingray but based on the snappers monoblocks. Includes a remote and xlr inputs plus an ipod input and possibly a usb input.

Speakers:
Dunno about ribbon speakers, aren't they bad with mids and lows.
B&W speakers are a possibility. The company I work for sells B&W speakers so I should get a pretty big discount.

Cart:
I think I am going to get a Lyra Helikon, will that be good with a SME 10?

I must run, I'm on vacation doing some Crestron Programming training.

Thanks again for all your thoughts!

-Russ

Bag the SME10 for now. Its an awesome table but you've got higher priorities. Keep your speakers, upgrade your amp, perhaps get a better cartridge for your pro-ject table. Learn everything about cartridge alignment and adjustment that you can. After you feel that you can dial-in a cartridge for its best sound, then think about buying your dream table. Oh yeah, ensure that you have that pro-ject table on a good support/rack or get a platform such as a Neuance, or both.