Cary vs Raven

@immatthewj  - sorry should have included in prior response.  

I would find the speakers I loved (and over buy) and then move through used equipment to find the amp(s) that work best. In my opinion gong in that order will provide the ability to hear the difference in electronics in your home environment.   I say this based on experience.  I purchased a pair of Joseph Audio Perspectives and learned I probably can’t afford the electronics to fully understand how good the speakers are.  Anyway on the journey my system keeps going better as I research and play with amps, pre-amps and DACs.  It is also the best way to understand cables.  Just what I’ve found.  Sorry for running on just what I’ve experienced.  

Not sure.  My assessment is based on hearing significant improvements with changes in electronics, tubes and cables.  I guess my learning after 35 years in this hobby is speakers have to be capable to hear the differences in other components.  Having said that, for me, my Perspectives are “end game” speakers and I have enjoyed how good they are.  In no way do they need really high end equipment to hear how good they are just that they enable hearing the difference in equipment as changes are made.  At their price point they should and I’m sure there are many speakers that are as capable.  Sorry for rambling but my point is they also enable when amps / preamps don’t improve sound hence find the speakers you love and don’t over spend on supporting equipment if you can’t hear a difference. Keep things in balance.