Philosophy used in assembling your system?

I used the “Aball Method” above more or less. After considering the room, I chose the amp. I fell in love with the sound of single-ended triodes, so I chose an amp from a manufacturer who makes a complete line of products – Audio Note. In choosing a single maker system many of the system synergy problems has been addressed in the product design phase, and the focus can then center on the selection of the appropriate level from their product offerings within a given budget (with a clear upgrade path available).

One of the limitations of using a single manufacturer, is you limit the opportunity for great deals. But, after three decades, I’ve stopped buying and selling various components. Now, I plan for periodical upgrades and focus more on music.

As a practioner of Gautama the Buddha my philosophy is Emptiness
In stereo listening it means trying to achieve an emptiness of any imputed hums, hisses, colorations, blooms, and other alterations in the essential nature of the music
It has meant that most of my investment has gone into amplication, as anything that is missed leaves the resulting sound empty of something and it cannot be picked up further down the line.
Next has come cables, my sources are both in need of upgrade as at some point as are my speakers.
As a practioner of the middle way, it seems I start with amplification and cables and then move out toward sources and speakers with the aim of emptying the final sound of anything other than a background of pure blackness or complete emptyness.

Best deals available in what I truly like.

Keep it simple and have a system price/performance ratio for the rest of system in mind (ie, don't have one component sound clearly better or worse than other system components).

I spent several yrs trying out different pieces to get an idea of what worked best for me. Once I had established a solid reference, I further tailored the sound w/tweaks & cables.

On top of all this, I threw in the occasional deal and since I had a solid base to work with, it all gelled like I had planned it that way.

I don't bother w/cost ratios but I am concerned w/cost to performance ratios. I had a (very nice) system where the amp was >1/3 the total cost of the system & w/my current system, the preamp is the most expensive piece.

So, to answer your ?, my top priority is a great listening experience, 'cause if you don't like what you hear, you're not going to enjoy turning on your system, regardless of how much time, effort & $$$$ you have invested.