If your whole system costs $40,000....

You have a 40k system and you're asking someone else how much you should spend on a cdp? Am I reading this wrong or am I missing something here?

Order of expense payed for components. Most first:
TT and tonearm (no cartridge yet)
CDP
Preamp/phono & Pair of amps (close to same cost)
Another pair of amps
Speakers
Tuner
all bought used here

Verdier La Platine, Grandezza Reference arm
Nain CD555 PS555
Doshi Alaap & Wavelength 45 silver
Wavelength Cardinal 300b
Beauhorn Virtuoso
Magnum Dynalab 106T Signal Sleuth

Tpreaves,

Yes, you are right. Say for example, $4000 for cdp, $36000 for others e.g. speaker, amp, pre, cables, etc. Thats spending 10% of whole system.

Isochronism,

Great form of reply, thanks! If you are able to state individual costs would be more informative, but may taking you too much time though.

In other words, I would like to know most of you how important do you treat investing a CDP is among the whole system. Especially a ratio on SPEAKER : CDP, I know this is not scientific, but I just really wonder I am too far from average, my speaker $7500, my cdp is $2100. My pre-amp is $4100, my amp is $3500.

My idea is upgrade a CDP to get more analytical detail and extensions on the bottom, am I on a right direction or what?