TWL,well put.On the subject.I would say 40% speakers,30% analog front end,10% room,20% the rest.I don't mean prices.Sometimes it is necessary to use $10000.00 amp.to make the $3500.00 speakers really sing.Serious room treatment is the last step not the first.Of course, there are "dead" rooms;but then nothing will help much.
SPeakers 90% of your sound
After "experimenting" with various cables,interconnects,conditioners,power cords, tube amps, and digital sources...I have come to this conclusion...the sound from my speakers was not drastically altered and at best marginally improved...with this in mind...I am glad I allocated the majority of my funds towards speakers and speaker stands...I have not thrown in a TT to the mix...which is my last and latest project...I am sure there are those who will disagree...but this is my findings at this time...any thoughts? That last 10% improvement will cost me what my entire system costs already....