Ok so base on my research and experience, if you had $5000 dollar, taking into account diminishing returns, this would be how one should allocate budget for a streaming based mid-fi system:
Speakers: 2000 (40%) Power Amp: 1000 (20%) Pre Amp with room correction capabilities: 1000 (20%) (or allocate to physical room treatment things. Everything else (20%) DAC： 500 Streamer: 200 Cables and interconnects : 200 (not much audible difference so long as not use the shittiest ones) Stands: 100
This is based on that
Speaker matters the most, then suitable amp = room acoustics/speaker placement, then perhaps quality of the DAC’s photo stage pair with a decent DAC chip, then everythig else is probably less than 5%.
I mean, we can argue all day on whether cables are snake oil, but I think for most people it is just about the most efficient resources allocation giving a budget constrain.
3500 speakers, 1000 integrated Amp, 500 streamer
I thought the rule of thumb was to spend about the same amount on the amp as on the speakers combined, to get the best price/performance ratio. Is this bs?
My gear is several years old. Prices are higher now. But my amp was $300 and pair of speakers $1300. So ~4:1 ratio on speakers to amp for me.
That would be bs
This is basically my budget for a new stereo system. The 3500 is going to bookshelf speakers and subwoofer though. I think 1000 for an integrated amp is the sweet spot. There are a lot of good options.
Yea, this is what I’d be shooting for.
$100 or under wiim mini. Drop the most money you can into speakers and amp at this stage. They have the most influence on sound.