Wirehead has some very good advice. Give us a little more info about your musical tastes and how you listen. Also, budget would be good to know as well. Try and break it all down in your head and figure out what you would be willing to pay for the whole ball of wax. This of course will dictate a lot. I have to agree with Wirehead that speakers and the amplifier/preamp/integrated is the most important and then perhaps the source followed by cabling. People have deep opinions about that, that is just my opinion based on my experiences. All parts are very important and add up to the whole.
new system for beginner
i am not terribly familar with hi quality stereo equipment. i am looking to build my first system though. i am mostly interested in buying used quality equipment. i do not have a lot of room to fill and i only listen to cds. i am wondering what the good brands are to with. speakers are the area of most concern and i haveno idea what to look for. if this is too novice of a thread i understand. my knowledge is limited and i have to start somewhere. thanks for any help.