Is there a magic formula for spending on components in a system


Hello to all...

I'm looking for opinions on the magic formula for purchasing components base on catergories:

Source or sources

Control

Amplification

Sound Transmission

Interconnection and Cabling

Setup and storage

Thoughts? Opinions? Your system "equation" ?

PS: which of the above is the most important block in the wall? 
insearchofprat
To me, speakers have the biggest impact and variation on sound.

So, about 1/2 on speakers, then work out the rest from there.
I had such a clever response nearly completed when I left the page and lost it all. Now I must to condense the wisdom. Prepare yourself.

If you had $10k to spend,
( I'd suggest seeking financing for an $10k. haha-joke).

I will preface my remarks with full disclosure that you are reading a recommendation by someone who is enjoying his 2nd double of  Jethro T. Boots Kentucky Whiskey. CVS $8.99. Really tastes about the same as the $80 Japanese whiskey I had last week.

As the acknowledged weakest link in audio is the speakers,
you start there. Spend 6-12 months investigating what you want.
Find what you like. Not what somebody else likes. $4k is the max
you spend here. Leaves $6k. I am pretty good at math.

Then you will know what type and how much power you need. 
Your two brands to choose from are: Pass Labs and Line Magnetic.
If your speakers require massive power then I will offer a 3rd choice
for amplification. Magtech by Sanders. 

You buy everything used. From the original owner. Under 1 year old.

For a source-Stream with your own computer. Hardwire ethernet to your DAC to your router. Buy a Preamp/Dac combo for $1k. $5k left.

Pay $700 for a lifetime subscription to Roon. $4,300 left.

Hire an electrician to install 2 dedicated runs to your HiFi.
The cost of this will vary. Include the ethernet line. I did 
it for $350 at my house. Likely you will spend $1k.
$3,300 left.

Cables.com.  Buy used interconnects. Buy Kimber cables. 
Budget $1k. $2,300 left.

Buy 6 each  2' x 4' absorbing panels. Cost $60 each if you buy
new or $30 each if you make them. If you have a hard surface floor
get an area rug. Deal with windows with drapes. Cost $500.
$1,800 remaining. 

If you have LPs, buy a used Rega TT and a Schiit audio Phono stage.
End of original $10k.

That's all folks!!




Yes.
Spend $nil on CD player.

Don't be a cable chump.  Don't allocate much to cables until system spend gets to $10k.  Cables can never add as much as active components at this level.  Don't buy used cables, they deteriorate over time.

Yes.  If you don't have $30k for power amplifiers, choose high-efficiency speakers.

1970s Linn formula:   Budget $n.  Spend $0.8n on Linn front end.  Leaves $0.2n for the rest of the system.
Ideally....the GDP....

On a practical level....what you can rationally spend...;)

Don’t know if it’s magic but here is where mine ended up. Virtual system posted here. 

System Budget (% based on retail)

Source(cart, tt, phono pre) - 24%

Pre-amp, amp - 33%

Speakers - 28%

Cables, ICs, power condition - 15%


Did not include CD player and DAC as I am at least 95% vinyl and those were relatively small expenditures. Everything acquired over several years, new and used. Decisions were made on affordability of individual components, not a specific, overall system budget to start with. Percentages do not include a backup pre-amp, power amp, or cartridge, or NOS tubes. The general plan was to build a nice system over time, upgrading and enjoying music, selling existing components to afford new ones. This is how it ended up. For now. It is a journey. Have fun!