What to add to my system for best sound?

Geoff --

I will not flame you. I agree that an upgrade in speakers is usually the biggest bang for the buck. And, not a controversial some people claim to hear it while others don't kind of thing like high end cables. The kind of obvious everyone hears it no doubt about it this sounds so
much better kind of thing.

But, I also believe you need some balance in a system. So, I also believe a good way to upgrade is to improve the
weakest link. In her system, I think the speakers are the
strongest link. At some point, you need better components to get the most out of your speakers and I believe that upgrading the other two components will help get more out of those speakers.

There is also a real noticeable difference between a receiver and an integrated amp or separates and I believe
her speakers have enough resolution to be able to hear the difference a nice integrated amp like the Jolida will make.

Further, I believe that digital technology has really improved and higher end technology is filtering down into
players at a lower price point. I have noticed a large
difference when a system is balanced; Nice speakers served by appropriate amplification being fed by a nice
CD player.

Finally, I believe there are some components that give a
much bigger bang for the buck and when one is on a budget,
it is best to seek out those types of components -- like
the Ah! Njoe Tjoeb 4000 CD player and the Jolida hybrid integrated.

Rsbeck, I agree with the need for balance that you and others speak of.

The argument that I am trying to pose (based on my 2 system experience) is that it takes a high quality speaker to hear the differences between amp/pre/cdp. And that I dont think a 500$ or 1000$ used speaker will have the resolution to pick up on much of a difference to justify the cost.
The dollars would be better spent on speakers where an audible difference and greater resolution is sure to be heard.

Geoff -- I have no problem with your approach -- I wholeheartedly endorse it. At this stage of the game,
when one wants to hear a significant upgrade in music
quality, an upgrade in speakers will definitely give a big bang for the buck. I don't think Julie will go wrong with
a speaker upgrade and I also think she would notice some difference with a better front end and amplifier.
I would put upgraded speaker cables last on her list of
priorities. If could do nothing but talk her out of
blowing her money on high end cables and get her to
put every penny of that money into speakers instead, I
would feel like I made a difference in the world. So, you're preaching to proverbial choir. But, i still like those two components and believe they also have a place in a system at her price point. If she starts with a speaker ungrade, perhaps a component upgrade would be next -- and I would STILL hold off on purcahsing high end cables.