I use the Bifrost 2 fed by uncompressed WAV files and the Euphony OS straight in to my tube amp. I'm very happy with my "budget" system. I listen comfortably without fatigue. "Audiophile" grade components? Not according to the vast majority here but I'm very content right now in this room relaxing to some Mingus as though I'm in the studio with him. Spend what you can afford on what makes YOU happy. At a certain point thousands more doesn't raise the level of listening pleasure in relation to the money spent. It does raise your status by impressing others here though....and gets you into their elitist club with Muff and uncle Biff.