Question Budget proportions?

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Hi all,
Season’s greetings!
How should one proportionalized (is that even a word) thier hifi budget?
Out of your 100% budget how would you split this between your amp and speakers?

Love to know yours thoughts on this!

 

[Cork]

This used to be a common discussion topic years ago, and ... I forget what the common answer was! But I'll say 70/30 preferencing speakers. I say that for a couple reasons, (1) most of the sound quality comes from the speakers and (2) speakers will last 30-40 year while electronics are typically 5-10.

 

[gasolin]

About the same on amp,speakers

cable depending on the system no more than 1000 euros or 10% of the total costs

 

[twinkletoes]

Hi all,
Season’s greetings!
How should one proportionalized (is that even a word) thier hifi budget?
Out of your 100% budget how would you split this between your amp and speakers?

Love to know yours thoughts on this!

It really depends on what you’re buying. Sensitive speakers don’t need so much power so amps tend to be cheaper. So speakers then amp

But, there's always a but!

In an age where even budget speakers present difficult loads to amps and where integrated’s have now become a central hub for everything ie there also now the source. More of the budget should be allocated to “amp”

In my mind “the best speakers you can get” type thinking just doesn’t hold up now.

Either 50 50 or 80 20 split in favour of the amp/source . Speakers offer so much quality sound these days all your really buying is better finishing.

But you do you and buy what you like the look of it’s your money and one works hard for it.

 

[DougK1]

I've previously found joy in the balanced budget approach - equal spend on all items, (excluding cables as I'm a non-believer). However, I've also found equal joy in cheaper speakers with a more expensive amp, etc. Conversely, the same cannot be said for a cheap amp attempting to drive expensive speakers.

 

[Cork]

I'm sorry, but you guys are crazy. Not like bad people crazy, more loony running around with your eyeballs hanging out crazy.

You can get a great receiver that produces fantastic sound for $600. The rest is bells and whistles (bells and whistles that we all love, but nonetheless). Excellent speakers are $1000.

 

[clanking]

If starting again I'd probably look at a Wiim and active speakers. So in that case it'd be over 80/20 on the speakers.

 

[daytona600]

Passive 60% source , 15% amp 15% speakers & 10% cabling/supports/isolation
Active 60% Source , 40% speakers

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Interesting!
Thank you all very much for the responses.
It seems general consensus is to spend more on speakers as speakers are more expensive compared to amps.
In my system it’s almost 50/50. please note, I bought my amp 2nd hand otherwise cost of would’ve been almost double compared to speakers.
I am of the opinion that a good amp is needed to get the maximum out of speakers. Your speakers will sound only as good as the amp they are driven by. Speakers are indeed the most important part of the hifi system and a good amp is a must to ensure their performance is optimum.

 

[matthewpianist]

It also depends on the mix between old and new in your system, and whether you've bought at full price or on an offer. I bought my Omnia half price because it has been discontinued. I have a choice of speakers, but my current favourites are the JPW Sonatas - late 80s, sealed box in excellent condition and purchased for less than £40. They knock modern budget speakers out comfortably.

 

[Al ears]

Passive 60% source , 15% amp 15% speakers & 10% cabling/supports/isolation
Active 60% Source , 40% speakers

I would agree up to a point.
If your source is a turntable maybe.
If it's a cd player or otherwise then much more on the speakers .

 

[daveh75]

I've always viewed the budget proportion thing as arbitrary toss presented as audiophile "wisdom"

 

[Roog]

I am currently considering changing from 66% amp/ 33% speakers to KEF LS60s so 100% speakers.

For a laugh I am currently experimenting with the same speakers and Fosi V3 mono power amps making the temporary ratio 10% amp / 90% speakers. The reality is it’s not funny, it works very well indeed!

 

[gasolin]

if it has enough inputs wiim amp pro + q acoustiucs 3030i +100 euro cable, 100 euro for stands if you need it or 2x 10 euros for feet could be Ludic No Rumble Pads

 

[nopiano]

I am currently considering changing from 66% amp/ 33% speakers to KEF LS60s so 100% speakers.

For a laugh I am currently experimenting with the same speakers and Fosi V3 mono power amps making the temporary ratio 10% amp / 90% speakers. The reality is it’s not funny, it works very well indeed!

I was going to give a similar example. Back in the days of turntable, amp and speakers it might have been a handy guide to split three ways, but digital sources in particular have thrown any semblance of balance way out.

I’ve always spent what I could afford/justify for any item, and never calculated proportions.

 

[RJW232]

I always used to say 60/20/20 for speakers/amp/source. But with current equipments (loudspeakers have become very good in the last couple of years, and relatively cheaper) I would rather say 40/30/30. A good amp and source can really have a huge impact on the sound quality. A good amp has better control over the loudspeakers, which is still a electro-mechanical devices that can lead a life of its own if not controlled properly. For example I borrowed an Hegel amp (which are famous for their huge damping factors) from a friend and tried it on my not super expensive speakers. Definitely much better than with my own amp. But also more expensive than my own amp.

 

[gasolin]

hegel can be had for less than 600 euros

Used Hegel h80 is under 600 euros

 

[Al ears]

hegel can be had for less than 600 euros

Used Hegel h80 is under 600 euros

Not exactly sure what that has to do with OPs question.

 

[gasolin]

#16

Mentioned hegel

Hegel is not that expensive used so it's not that you have to pay alot for a good amp, budget proportions also depends on what price you can get a quality amp for

600 for a quality amp instead of 1000 you can save some money or buy better source and speakers

You don't need to look for a more expenisve amp if it's not 40 or 50% of your budget

 

[Al ears]

#16

Mentioned hegel

Hegel is not that expensive used so it's not that you have to pay alot for a good amp, budget proportions also depends on what price you can get a quality amp for

600 for a quality amp instead of 1000 you can save some money or buy better source and speakers

You don't need to look for a more expenisve amp if it's not 40 or 50% of your budget

Aha, missed that. However it doesn't address the percentage spread the OP was asking about, or so I thought.
We have suddenly moved on to specific manufacturers, it's amazing how these threads tend to suddenly deviate.

 

[gasolin]

New and used is not the same price, budget 10000 you can get a new amp for 4000 but if you find the same amp for 2000 you can spend 6000 on speakers or spend 8000 since your budget is 10000

Should you spend 6000 or 8000 on the rest if the amp costs 2000 instead of 4000

Or buy the next level amp for 4000 ?