Hy there,
What system did you get in the end? I think we have visited somehow the same dealers, by the brands you have mentioned earlier?
I was reading your post as I also had a lot of time invested in listening different configurations so I came up with a very disproportionate one :
speakers 2000 e
central 1500 e
AV receiver 4000 e
DAC : 6000 e !!
The last one I just bought, it s a Chord76 HDSD but it really makes a lot of difference comparing with the Primare Spa 22 Dac I was using from the receiver. And also the next upgrade would be not in speakers if you ask me, but would be a integrated pre/amp of around 6000 e, that I already auditioned and gets the best of the speakers. ( Dynaudio focus 160)
Therefore, if I were to put some percentages to the table, would look really strange to many but to my ears this is the best so far. And if I plan to upgrade the speakers I would not spend more than 5000 e on some floor standers, but not right now, since the place I live has neighbours all around me
All the best!