$50k - $80k Budget…Opinions please.

Heart of the System:

Vintage Tube Tuner Preamp McIntosh mx-110z.

No matter what budget, what system, if mine was stolen, I would order a  replacement immediately, send it to Audio Classics, have them get it back to specs (not upgrade), and have them replace all the old rca jacks with new gold plated ones like they did to mine. I'm a fan of original lighting, not new LED.

McIntosh Mode Switch gives versatility, Mono Mode, other functions I particularly need it for balancing my speakers that have L=Pads for mid horn and tweeter horn. 

here's one, all the text is in good shape front and rear. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125375766529?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=2469a996-fa93-11ed-b93c-313461313663

Wait for a great unit, no need to settle in your budget.

I would have seller pull it out of the case to see condition of parts and deck, to confirm not kept in damp location.

This is what convinced me to try it:

https://positive-feedback.com/Issue77/vintage_mcintosh_experience.htm

Most people have never heard a wonderful FM tuner. This one needs a strong signal, I have a dedicated antenna in the attic right above it, aimed at WBGO Jazz station. Everything they say about it is true, Richard Modaffari said there is NOTHING he could do to improve it.

https://www.audioclassics.com/mods

MM Phone stage (2) sounds great, I use a SUT for MC into it. Tape LOOP, ....

I solved remote control volume with a more modern integrated amp.

You should start here or somewhere similar. Listen to systems and decide what speakers you want on your short list. After you make that decision you can do some additional listening. After that I would work on arranging some home demonstrations

https://www.pacificaudiofest.com/

my opinion is you do not need to spend nearly that much to get awesome sound in a home

You might consider a financial planner as being more of a priority than your next 80k luxury item.  I mean, to pay off family debt you get a fraction of your systems value, and a year later drop 80k on a luxury item.  That math does not add up.  Well, at least not the way I earn my money.

@curtdr ,

+1 agreed ….. I have what I consider great sound for around 4K currently but all used, would be over 20k new. 
 

but…. If I had budgeted 80k for a system and it would not effect me in a negative finanancial way I would be all over it.