I don't think you have to spend 10K to get a great system. Below are systems with almost all components that I've owned, usually for a few months. I've paired the synergistic matches. I've only had red dawn cables in my system so cannot comment on cable matching.
For a great rock and roll system buy a vandersteen 3aSig(3500) or 2CeSig(1600). Probably have to buy these new and use a mccormack dna-1 (rev A if possible) ($1000-2000) amp w/adcom 750 preamp(800) and kinergetics research (a buddy recommends these) cables. For CD player buy an xa7es($1100) and you'll have money left over for a rega 25 ($1000) and lehman black cube ($500) or better yet an AR PH-3(900). If you want tubes, the monster Sonic Frontiers sfm-160's (1600) worked very well with the vandersteen 3aSigs. McCormack is the way to go by a mile with these speakers. Swap in some b$w 801's w/monster krell for more bass/thunderosity.
For a resolution/imaging oriented system, swap in: Audio Physic Virgo's ($3200) with pass aleph 2's(3000), a pass labs P(1800). Red dawn speaker cables w/nordost red dawn balanced interconnects (1200). Heard Analysis plus 9 is great w/these too. Put a vt100m2(3000) on this for world class tube lp sound but sound but slightly less resolution. Put a dna1/revaGold for house shaking bass w/still very good resolution. The alephs are my current setup. Doesn't rock like the vandersteens but tighter with tremedous detail and resolution. Better for medium sized rooms.
For a cheap (AND AWESOME) system:
Magnepan 1.6QR's (1500) w/conrad johnson mv-55(1200) and adcom 750 (800). Maybe a cav-50. Same Cd player, cables and record player. This is a wonderful setup for classical music listening. Might try a premier 11a amp as well. vt100 ups the performance a bit but much more expensive. I didn't care for any solid state amps with this speaker.
For a great rock and roll system buy a vandersteen 3aSig(3500) or 2CeSig(1600). Probably have to buy these new and use a mccormack dna-1 (rev A if possible) ($1000-2000) amp w/adcom 750 preamp(800) and kinergetics research (a buddy recommends these) cables. For CD player buy an xa7es($1100) and you'll have money left over for a rega 25 ($1000) and lehman black cube ($500) or better yet an AR PH-3(900). If you want tubes, the monster Sonic Frontiers sfm-160's (1600) worked very well with the vandersteen 3aSigs. McCormack is the way to go by a mile with these speakers. Swap in some b$w 801's w/monster krell for more bass/thunderosity.
For a resolution/imaging oriented system, swap in: Audio Physic Virgo's ($3200) with pass aleph 2's(3000), a pass labs P(1800). Red dawn speaker cables w/nordost red dawn balanced interconnects (1200). Heard Analysis plus 9 is great w/these too. Put a vt100m2(3000) on this for world class tube lp sound but sound but slightly less resolution. Put a dna1/revaGold for house shaking bass w/still very good resolution. The alephs are my current setup. Doesn't rock like the vandersteens but tighter with tremedous detail and resolution. Better for medium sized rooms.
For a cheap (AND AWESOME) system:
Magnepan 1.6QR's (1500) w/conrad johnson mv-55(1200) and adcom 750 (800). Maybe a cav-50. Same Cd player, cables and record player. This is a wonderful setup for classical music listening. Might try a premier 11a amp as well. vt100 ups the performance a bit but much more expensive. I didn't care for any solid state amps with this speaker.