how much would you say a good set up cost

Tvad
Exactly correct :-)_ And trust me I don't say that to be pompus, and Hell I don't know much, but learned a lot if that makes sense. But I can say for somebody to pay someone that does have a clue on some of this stuff and do it right would cost as much as some just buying the next level of component, which will re-sell of course better un-altered in most cases.

Thanks, and it is a lot of fun, and of course takes a ton of patience with good direction... Kinda like building a custom house, you need to decide who you want to make that real special faucet on that bathtub!

Tvad's 10k system (Merlin,Ars, Rega) would be very, very good and comparable to most anything out there except for full range bass - but that system combo is one I would hghly endorse for bang for the buck.

"...except for full range bass" is the sticking point with most sub $10k systems, IMO.

Perhaps a pair of Audiokinesis Jazz Modules or Klipschorns driven by used Atma-Sphere M-60/MP-3 and a $1k CD player...

$30K or so seems about right for an entry-level High-end System.

My current rig sounds great @ $31.4K
Krell SACD Standard MK3: $6K
PASS X1: $5.9K
PASS X250.5: $7.5K
Wilson Sophia: $12K

I had a tough time trying to get to this level of performance for less.

$30K is ridiculous as a minimum startup figure given the qualifications of the original post for what a 'good system' revealed, IMHO. One can get a damn rewarding system, especially on the used market for under 5 figures. I'd reiterate that a bad room can ruin both a $3k system or a $30K system or a $100K system. I mention that as many folks see the room as outside of the "system". View it as you may in or out of the chain, and as high or low in the hierarchy as you may think; it can make or break a system.