Is there a ceiling limit on what you are willing to pay for an audio component?

It is all relative to means.  If I had Elon Musk bank account, I would at least audition stratospherically priced stuff to see if it is worth it, and I suspect I will find some worth keeping.  Because I don’t have his account, my main system runs about $35K, with a few grand more in other systems in the home.  I could spend more but for me it is the price performance sweet spot.

despite all the best intentions, the insecure, genital enlargement seeking folks still misunderstood it though

I cannot see myself ever paying more than $500/ £500 on an amp or CD player. I have done in the past but I'm no longer convinced it was money well spent.

On the other hand I used to think that $5k would be my limit for speakers but I'm no longer sure about that either.

All of those I've seen under £5k seem to have one form of serious compromise or another.

I'm now beginning to think that $10k would be my limit for a pair of minimum compromise loudspeakers.

From very early on in my audio journey I grew to dislike small, minuscule upgrades. All of that time and trouble were just not worth it.

Besides, I never got much long term satisfaction from those kinds of upgrades. It was often a case of some plusses but also some minuses which kind of ruined it a little.

A true upgrade should simply be sonically better in every way.

@2psyop 

You seem like a humble, curious person, that’s a valuable combination. There is a lot to learn from others, both the good and the bad, and I applaud your effort.
 

Best of luck with your audio goals!

@esarhaddon1 

Very well said… sage advice. 
 

Best!