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.
Congrats on having 5k for an audio system.
my headphone 6 component system is only $500.
stereo system is only $500 also. but the bass will play new things on songs you heard a million times.
if i had 5k
$220 for wiim 2 pro streamer.
DAC wise: SMSL Su1 dac is under a hundred and is really good. topping also has a new pro d70 octo dac for $600. or you could step up to a denafrips aries 2 for a grand.
Not going to comment on amps or speakers. mostly run headphone setup.
would suggest separates as far as components because things fail.