Componets first, cables second?

Thats good to hear the word balance in there. Synergy as well. Thanks John for being the sacrifical lamb. Your advice is always a pleasure.
Peter

Components first cables second. It's all about budget though. There are some really good inexpensive cables. So, no great component need be without good cables.

I can't say John is wrong in saying not to ignore cables. They do make an important difference, more than some people might expect, and the *right* cable will certainly make your system more delightful.

However I don't think the OP ever meant to *ignore* cables. If I'm right about this, then I would like to add a couple of points to what I wrote above.

The first thing is that your cable-evaluating organs (aka ears) are not functioning at full efficiency while you get used to your new player. You need time for them to settle in. You are loading them up too much if you ask them to choose the perfect combination right off the bat. In other words, listen for a month or three, till you know how your player sounds with what you have now, and you will have a better idea of what you want from an interconnect.

The second point is that the settling-in period gives you time to consider the cable possibilities, plan evaluations without pressure, and above all save money to pay for them.

These look to me like potent arguments for buying your dream player first (with a suitable interconnect of course but perhaps one you already have), then allowing yourself the pleasure of upgrading its sound at leisure through experiments with cables. If you buy this approach, then start off by budgeting all you can for the CDP.

Cables second (or third maybe - after new/more music).

Get GREAT components and GOOD cables.

Peter,

Here is a contrarian or minority view.

If cables (a piece of wire) makes a large difference then I would definitely be concerned about the equipment. From my perspective, good and well matched gear should have robust power supplies and high quality interfaces which do NOT change significantly (audibly) with a power conditioner, "better" interconnect or cable.

It is best to avoid finicky equipment that changes response due to the slightest changes in cabling or which has an inadequate built-in power supply. The same could be said for equipment that changes response with time (warm-up or extensive break-ins lasting monnths). I use a power conditioner but I know that it is actually only one item in my setup that seems to require it; since power conditioning could be built in to this component's power supply, I can only surmise that this item is slightly deficient in its power supply build/design.

I guess my criteria for what constitutes good audio gear includes a "robustness" or "consistency" factor. Gear that can sound excellent but which lacks consistency and requires inordinate fiddling (cables/interocnnetcs/warm-up/break-in etc.) to keep sounding excellent is definitely not my thing. I know I am a tiny minority here on these forums who think this way....just two cents as usual.