I should start with speakers. This I know. I’d like to establish a new system.

When I did what you're doing, here in Denver, CO, I took the following approach:

* Joined an audio club. There are now people in my area to talk to and hear their systems, for free.

* Began asking questions on the forum. If you search my handle here, you can see that many of the questions I've posed are basic, informational. They may be helpful. 

* Visited local brick and mortar stores.

* Bought used at TMR and then returned a couple pairs (minus re-stocking fee).

These steps allowed me to develop a stronger sense of my preferences. Speakers first, then amp and preamp.

With $20k to work with you have set some lofty equipment goals. Source/cables/room acoustics/vibration control/power conditioning/equipment racks etc. are not throw away accessories. When buying used components condition/user history always surpasses cost. Consider dealer demo gear as a safer alternative. 

I ran a SLI-80 for a while.  It's a nice, solidly built integrated with plenty of power and lots of tube-rolling ability to tailor the sound to what you like.  I also like that there is factory support and service available from Cary.  Plus, it looks great.  Mine was an older version with the tube rectifiers so it had even more tubes, which I liked.

Returning to a hobby I abandoned two decades ago as life interfered with my personal desires.

I am currently drifting between horns or BBC sound. Two different worlds, but each intrigue me. Considering Volti Audio with Cary SLI80 Integrated while also Harbeth 40.2 with something like a VTL MB185 Series III. Schizophrenic I know.

Dedicated Room 12’W x 30’L x varied vaulted 11’H.

Your room is long enough where you can set up 1 pair of speakers on front wall and another pair of speakers on the backwall.

Rotate the chair 180 degrees everytime the schizophrenic hits.

Personally, I would ignore the BBC stuff and go with a) a horn and b) a panel llike a magnepan or something.

@yyzsantabarbara  KEF Blade Meta? In a 20k budget? Is that possible?