Budgeting your system

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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Do you agree with this ratio?

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I would prefer it if an audiophile genuinely trying to work out how much to spend on different components posted this thread. I'm already flat out answering the dozen or more market research emails and texts I receive every week..
 
Hi Mike,

When I put together a system, I generally allocate as much funds as possible towards the speakers, because it is my anchor component. Then I back fill over time with amps, source, cables, power, etc. I generally agree with your pie chart, although the speaker percentage may be on the high side, I would say a range from at least 50% to what is shown on the pie chart. I do agree with the order. Of course, if the component you desire is an incredible deal or abnormally pricey, it could throw off these percentages (i.e. Magnepan 20.7 or Transparent cabling).

Best,
Ken
 
Hmmmm.... not really... depends on speakers and size, etc. Are they grouping all electronics into that one small piece.... amp, preamp, DAC, reclockers, etc.?

I guess it is personal preference, but if you emphasis speakers that much the chances are you will not get the electronics to power them correctly, unless you are one of the lucky ones who has unlimited budget.

According to that chart it looks like about 70% in speakers. So say you are lucky enough to have a $30,000 budget. $21,000 in speakers, and $9000 in preamplifier, amplifier, DAC, reclockers, stands (including possibly speaker stands), cabling, music server, SACD/CD spinner, possibly a tuner and/or turntable (phono stage). No way in hell would this work. Unless you are someone fortunate enough to be able to purchase $100,000 - $200,000 speakers could this break down possibly work.

Take it even further and break down my system. I am very happy at this point to where it has gone and I have looked for and picked up improvements many times. Purely at retail value to try and see how it compares to the chart.

In my case I have a system at about $35k+/- range with speakers valued in the $5500 range... so according to this chart I should have $20,000+ speakers... basically I could have never put together a system. Or, judging by the rest of my component I should have a $70,000+/- speaker. Again, it could never have happened.

My point being, this type of chart is very prohibitive. Someone looking to get into this hobby would see that and put all of their money into speakers and never be able to actually enjoy the system because there would be no synergy and everything else would be so out of whack... The formula works for those with the upper tier budget, not for the average person in my opinion.
 
It must be right as I just can't see having a $10,000 amp pushing sound into a pair of $500 floorstanders. It just wouldn't be Audiophileish

But when you look at the mass market of music users, its a smart phone and ear buds. Kinda blows the chart all to heck don't it.
 
I think it's too high of a percentage for speakers. I would think that a single source and amps would be in the 50% range.
 
Randy Myers said:
Hmmmm.... not really... depends on speakers and size, etc. Are they grouping all electronics into that one small piece.... amp, preamp, DAC, reclockers, etc.?

I guess it is personal preference, but if you emphasis speakers that much the chances are you will not get the electronics to power them correctly, unless you are one of the lucky ones who has unlimited budget.

According to that chart it looks like about 70% in speakers. So say you are lucky enough to have a $30,000 budget. $21,000 in speakers, and $9000 in preamplifier, amplifier, DAC, reclockers, stands (including possibly speaker stands), cabling, music server, SACD/CD spinner, possibly a tuner and/or turntable (phono stage). No way in hell would this work. Unless you are someone fortunate enough to be able to purchase $100,000 - $200,000 speakers could this break down possibly work.

Take it even further and break down my system. I am very happy at this point to where it has gone and I have looked for and picked up improvements many times. Purely at retail value to try and see how it compares to the chart.

In my case I have a system at about $35k+/- range with speakers valued in the $5500 range... so according to this chart I should have $20,000+ speakers... basically I could have never put together a system. Or, judging by the rest of my component I should have a $70,000+/- speaker. Again, it could never have happened.

My point being, this type of chart is very prohibitive. Someone looking to get into this hobby would see that and put all of their money into speakers and never be able to actually enjoy the system because there would be no synergy and everything else would be so out of whack... The formula works for those with the upper tier budget, not for the average person in my opinion.
Click to expand...


IME,

You would end up with a much better system using the pie chart ratios than your current ratios with your 35K budget, best to look at the chart as a flexable reference not a set in stone absolute , but yes, most of your budget should be for speakers ..

Its applicable even if buying new or used ... speaker first then amp to load and demand .


Regards
 
I also believe that price is not always a determining factor in equipment. I will use my speakers as an example. Designed by Wolfgang Meletzky and designed to have similar sound characteristics as his first line but also affordable, well by what I heard him describe "a person with a good job can save up and afford his second line of gear". His first line was MBL; I assume many know this, but if not....

I feel I would have to go at least three times the price to get a speaker that would be as satisfying to me.

I have to look for value in equipment, otherwise I could not afford anything :D...
 
Mike said:
Do you agree with this ratio?
Click to expand...

I spend money on equipment I can't build myself. Current Digital streamers rely on VLSI semiconductors and fine connections I can't see, let alone assemble.

I would say this ratio is reasonable, if you buy at retail prices: the modern electronics are amazingly good for the money such that transducers are now the single largest point of distortion.

Personally, I don't often buy new.
 
My current ratio (based on list):
Speakers 33%
Amplification 16%
Source Components 12%
Cabling 22%
Power Conditioning 2%
Resonance Control 3%
Room Acoustics 11%
 
so much of any system is scaling the speakers to the room, and to your personal musical outlook. if the speakers either move too much air, or not enough, or it's driver type is not room compatible, then that will be an obstacle never conquered. next you need to match the amps to the speakers appropriately and to taste and balance.

if you can get those three things right and synergizing, you can go very, very, modest in other spots and have great sound. these days you can find digital players that can drive amps directly, and be fed by a laptop directly streaming......and sound excellent. preamps are important at the top of the food chain, but become liabilities at modest price points, as interconnects and budget circuits get in the way.

as far as budget, view speakers and amps as one package, and approach it in that way. and maybe even reach a little for the speakers if you need to, with an amp upgrade already determined as the next move. don't stress about sources and preamps.

of course; past a certain point every damn thing matters. but this thread is not about that. my budget ratio is not relevant to anyone else.
 
Percentage wise - rough remembering of what I spent - Main system

Speakers plus subs 39%
Pre and power amps 24%
Power and interconnects 12%
Digital 3%
Tape 8%
Music material 14%
 
Mike Lavigne said:
so much of any system is scaling the speakers to the room, and to your personal musical outlook. if the speakers either move too much air, or not enough, or it's driver type is not room compatible, then that will be an obstacle never conquered. next you need to match the amps to the speakers appropriately and to taste and balance.

if you can get those three things right and synergizing, you can go very, very, modest in other spots and have great sound. these days you can find digital players that can drive amps directly, and be fed by a laptop directly streaming......and sound excellent. preamps are important at the top of the food chain, but become liabilities at modest price points, as interconnects and budget circuits get in the way.

as far as budget, view speakers and amps as one package, and approach it in that way. and maybe even reach a little for the speakers if you need to, with an amp upgrade already determined as the next move. don't stress about sources and preamps.

of course; past a certain point every damn thing matters. but this thread is not about that. my budget ratio is not relevant to anyone else.
Click to expand...


Mike,

Such a pie chart is for those on a Budget , it will not apply to an all out SOTA attempt ( as stated ) like yours. The pie chart will be most relevant imo, when working with a budget of say 10-100K as a example, then it's best most of that budget goes towards speakers.

We agree on everything else ....




Regards
 
I sort of agree in the upper end of your range.... in the lower end I do not. In say a $10k budget... $5 - $7k for speakers and the rest of the system for the remaining does not seem correct to me. Just too much to get for $3- $5k to make owning that level of a speaker worth while.... just my opinion....
 
LenWhite said:
My current ratio (based on list):
Speakers 33%
Amplification 16%
Source Components 12%
Cabling 22%
Power Conditioning 2%
Resonance Control 3%
Room Acoustics 11%
Click to expand...


I like this breakdown. For me anyway, cabling % might be a bit high, but I can't stress the room acoustics enough, that's for sure.
 
To me power foundation is the key to every system. Something like Denali conditioner or P10 regeneration is a must have. It also works if you have multi dedicated lines. But this is minimum if you aspire to true high fidelity.
The chart doesn't even contain power conditioning (power cable in it is more like 2-3%). If I just assume 5% for $4-5k for the power conditioning mentioned above, this chart won't work for me for systems up to $80-100k.
TBH this chart looks like it's made by someone from all cables, amps sound the same camp.
 
Randy Myers said:
I sort of agree in the upper end of your range.... in the lower end I do not. In say a $10k budget... $5 - $7k for speakers and the rest of the system for the remaining does not seem correct to me. Just too much to get for $3- $5k to make owning that level of a speaker worth while.... just my opinion....
Click to expand...


We can devil advocate your 10K system , i will use the high 70% budget, you use your method and less see what we come up with..


Let the games begin ... 😀
 
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