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
I would say no two people have the same needs, no two have the same situation, nor equipment. There can be generalities, but no hard and fast rules. The suggestions handed out are for folks who have no idea what to do. If they do not work for an individual, it does not invalidate the endless numbers who were assisted buy the guidelines.
Moving to a CD player that cost eight times its replacement caused a sharp improvement in performance?

Good to know.

;>)`
I have no doubt the new Marantz is the best CD player you’ve had but maybe the speakers are better suited to your ears and room also. 
The three legs of listening pleasure are Equipment, Acoustics and High quality recordings. You will be not achieve the max SQ if you fail
to attend to any of these three. Yes I know you know but no-one mentioned it.