O'Shag, you seem like a knowledgeable guy when it comes to audio and you have quite a collection of nice gear but with all that you have formed some interesting opinions. As questioned in a similar discussion it depends on what is meant by "difference". Julian Hirsch once wrote an article claiming there was no difference at all between "high quality" amplifiers that any difference perceived was from the room and other components. After that article I lost respect for Mr. Hirsch because I can't deny what I hear. If you are just talking a difference there are drastic differences that can be made by exchanging any link in the chain. If I had to choose which one would be the most dramatic, my choice is speakers because there are so many variations of technologies and materials. NOW, if you are talking sound quality, no other component will help quality as much as a source. If any information is lost when being extracted off the disc or vinyl then there is NOTHING that your amp can do to provide or restore that lost information. I don't care if you have the best amp in the world, lost is lost.

Emaidel, I remember a prior thread where we debated some on the attributes of spending money on higher end gear. You didn't feel the gain was worth the expense and that is what these guys mean by diminishing returns. I don't mean anything negative by my comments, I'm happy for you and glad to see you realize the benefit of a better source. I also understand limited funds, this is why it took me many years with receivers before I could afford better.

A good point made on source material. A bad recording will sound very bad on good gear. If a bad recording sounds good on a cheap player it's because it lacks the resolution to show the recordings faults.

I agree that some very good players can be had around that $1k price point and that's great for consumers and those on a budget but I strongly disagree that any gap is narrowing. From my experience, in most instances, there are gains in performance as you go up in price. As Ajani stated, the gain in performance to price ratio has to be decided by the purchaser.

When it comes to putting a system together I think all can agree on the "weakest link" theory. I believe we tend to start with the area that is most important to us or we have the most interest in. Some are speakers guys, some are amps guys and I reckon some must be source guys. I like it all but as you all know by now I firmly believe to get the most out of what you have, there has to be a good source. I've had a few amp, several sources yet through all that I have kept my Dyn's and have no urge to even consider a change. I'm not sure what that says about me. I think I believe my speakers are at a plateau, I'm convinced they are the best I will be able to afford. I haven't heard anything better at their price or less. I've heard some better at much higher prices, much higher than I can go. Well, let me back track for a moment, if I had the room, I'd have to try some Martin Logan's with my CJ gear. I'd love to have that set up and be able to put my Krell/Dynaudio in another room. But, we all have to deal with our limits, right?