These threads pop up every now and then, apparently hoping to reinforce the naive belief that the more expensive gear is, the better it must sound.
Unfortunately, while that belief is convenient it is largely false. Here is one example
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-does-80-grand-get-you-nowadays
In the real world, first you have to determine what sound you like / want. Then, see how much you’re willing to spend. Maybe you’ll find that you can afford your dream system brand new from a high-end boutique dealer and hire consultants to set it up in your home.
Or not.
If not, then you have to get creative, so that your tastes and budget may be reconciled, because settling for an end sound that does not please you just because it’s within budget should not be an option.
In any event, whether you have $2,000 or $2,000,000 to spend on a system, you need to do extensive research, educate yourself, and crucially that starts with figuring out what sound you love and want.
Pompously uttered rules of thumb like "you need to budget 25% of your total on cables", or "I feel comfortable spending x dollars on my system / on each of my components" are nonsense.
One example: Some folks here are into single-ended triode amps. Others lust for mammoth SS monoblocks. Do you really think there’s a pat rule of thumb that applies to how much each ought to spend on their speakers, respectively?
