Regardless of the numbers, as long as my speakers weren't so poor that they were toxic to the music, I would spend all I could on the source *and plan for downstream upgrades later*.
I think that's the point in the source-first/speakers-first argument: it has to do with how to plan for upgrades, not with how a system is best balanced. Heck, give me great speakers now and I won't say no. However IME it is much more fun to listen to a great source through ordinary speakers than the other way around.
Since upgrading is so expensive, it makes sense to me to spend on the source of my dreams and listen to it initially through speakers that are enjoyable but somewhat less refined. Soon as the cash is available, it's speaker upgrade time.
I think that's the point in the source-first/speakers-first argument: it has to do with how to plan for upgrades, not with how a system is best balanced. Heck, give me great speakers now and I won't say no. However IME it is much more fun to listen to a great source through ordinary speakers than the other way around.
Since upgrading is so expensive, it makes sense to me to spend on the source of my dreams and listen to it initially through speakers that are enjoyable but somewhat less refined. Soon as the cash is available, it's speaker upgrade time.