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

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Garebear, you are absolutely correct. The fact we now know you spent 1/3 of your budget on your digital front end adds absolutely no value to the OPs situation. With answers from a few percent to over 200% how is your 33% helping him decide what the correct % is.

Ok, I'll shut up, this whole conversation is as useful as discussing what speakers to buy and knowing no other information.

have fun
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Frankly I'd sell any high end CDP for whatever you can still get for it (while you can) and put the money into a PC/MAC - DAC based source. CD players are likely going the way of VCR's - there just won't be much of a market for them in five years time. And burn your existing CD collection to lossless PC audio files.

Find a pair of speakers that knock your socks off and then an amp that matches well.

After that, it's downhill all the way.

IMO

I have just been thinking about it......How about a LINN DS, say Akurate DS/1.....

1) Speakers

2) amps that match and compliment speakers

3) preamp (choice to compliment 1 & 2)

4) Sources
a) analog source (table and phono preamp)
b) DAC and some server or disc spinner. I wouldn't waste money on a stand alone disc player.

5) Power conditioning (if needed in your area, some don't)

6) Cables (I'm a firm believer in simplier is better cost vs benefit)

7) Tweaks - cleaners, sound deadening, etc....