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Which area of components to spend the most $ on? Boy I was wrong all my life!

I have been an audio junkie for about 25 years. All those years, I have read plenty of discussion posts and recommendations where to spend the most money on. The majority, even the experts recommend to spend the most money on speakers. Up to as high as 60% of the total budget.Example: CEO of PS Audio-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYwL7vPkPhg
I believed this all my life. Today, my eyes are opened. My total budget is about $15K.Before today, my system was:Speakers-Revel F36 Concerta 2 (For the money, this is the best speakers I’ve heard. I like it more than my previous Dynaudio Contour 30)Integrated Amp-Marantz PM-10 (Class D, balanced, 400wpc at 4ohms)CD Player-Oppo UDP 205 & Marantz CD 6005 (Some of the best in class)Line conditioner-Furman Elite PFi 15Cables-Kimber 8TC Speaker Cables (Sorry, not a cable nut. I’d rather spend money elsewhere)
I upgraded my front end CD player to... Marantz SA-11S3. I was BLOWN away! This is the greatest upgrade I have ever heard in my life. For 25 years, I was taught to spend the most in speakers. Sorry! It’s the FRONT END! The best source you can afford. The purity transcends down the river. I am blown away by the sheer improvement in detail, clarity, depth, the air around the instruments.
My philosophy has changed.
skimrn

Showing 7 responses by skimrn

skimrn OP
13 posts
 

Thank you for your inputs. Past few months these are the scenarios until yesterday which changed my perspective forever:

  • Dynaudio Contour 30 ($7500) + Marantz 6005 CD Player ($500)=$8000

  • Dynaudio Contour 30 ($7500) + Oppo UDP205 4K Player ($1300)=$8800

  • Revel F36 Concerta2 ($2000) + Marantz 6005 CD Player ($500)=$2500

  • Revel F36 Concerta2 ($2000) + Marantz SA-11S3 CD Player ($4000)=$6000


Guess which combination had the best sound? Yup, it’s the last combo which was set-up for the first time yesterday. No it wasn’t subtle. It was jaw droppingly amazing improvement.


skimrn OP
13 posts
 
@whipsaw: Yes, the new CD player costs 8 times more than the older, but again check out the budget breakdown.
  • Contour 30 @$7500 + CD 5005 @$500=$8000
  • Concerta2 F36 @$2000 + SA11S3 @$4000=$6000.
Speakers are $5500 cheaper, $2000 cheaper combo, SO much better sound!
skimrn OP
13 posts
 
@larry5729 "Wasting money on Marantz. Not audiophile quality?" Sorry, I beg to differ. I think for the money I spent, they truly sound amazing!
Marantz PM-10 Amp (2018 Sound & Image Product of the year)-https://www.avhub.com.au/news/sound-image/winner-marantz-pm-10-stereo-amplifier-486288
Marantz SA11S3 SACD Player (The Absolute Sound 2018 recommended components)-http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2018-editors-choice-awards-disc-players-2000-10000/

skimrn OP
13 posts
 
Thank you for the inputs. I did not expect this discussion became a hot topic. I am enjoying everyone’s perspectives.@oem-wheels & @curiousjim-I could not test the Dynaudio + Marantz SA11S3 combo since I had to sell the Contour 30 & Oppo 205 in order to switch components.
Many of you still have the opinions about keeping the speaker budget higher, but my ears do not lie. I am forever a firm believer in front-end. Even the Oppo 205 (bought from the manufacturer) do not come close to the Marantz 11S3. My wife was a voice major(soprano) in her university days. The day that I hooked up the 11S3 and turn it on for the first time, she immediately told me that the sound is amazing. I cannot imagine if I had the budget to keep the Dynaudio Contour 30 to this Marantz. It will be even better.

I am slowly branching into cables now. All my budget went to components so I only have little wiggle room for cables. I am planning to get Wireworld Eclipse XLR interconnects. I will keep my Kimber 8TC speaker cables for now. Money is tight.
skimrn OP
13 posts
 
Another upgrade update on my system. As a skeptical cable fan, I decided to take a chance on upgrading the connection between my Marantz PM-10 Amp to SA-11S3 SACD Player, from Audioquest Cobra RCA interconnects to Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7 XLRs. This upgrade made me a believer. Bass is tighter and deeper, the background is jet black, and detail appears several notches higher.Someday I may upgrade my Kimber 8TC Speaker Cables!
skimrn OP
13 posts
 
I totally agree with you.  In my 25 years of audio upgrades and changes, my Marantz SA-11S3 too was the biggest upgrade that I have ever heard.  It is built like a tank and the sound.  Truly amazing!Due to this thread, I had a scenario in my mind.  What would like better?
  • $500 CD player on the $10,000 speakers vs
  • $10,000 CD player on the $500 speakers.
Now that's an experiment!
skimrn OP
13 posts
 
Hey all,
So I did some potential final upgrades of my system.  I sold my beloved Revel F36 Concerta2 Speakers and bought F228Be Speakers.  Wham!  Another giant leap of sound improvement. 
Now I can't tell if the SA11S3 or the Revel F228Be was the better jump since they are both insanely big jumps for me!Now I am shooting for the Marantz SA-10 CD Player.  I know Elizabeth here has one.  I heard great reviews about it.
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