Digital only stereo related, cost question

[firedog]

I'd put the vast majority into speakers. Get the absolute best (for your taste and your room) that you can budget. 

There is state of the art or near state of the art electronics available today for  relatively modest sums. A few thousand will do it. Certainly less than 10K possibly much less. 

The difference you will hear with better speakers will be greater than what you will hear with lesser speakers and more expensive electronics. 

 

And if the speakers you really like cost only 20k and not $40K - you can spend money on any electronics you want, even if you are just spending on better looks.