swissified,
You did not inquire about the cartridge for your turntable although it will be a very important piece of the picture. I see that turntable can be ordered with no cartridge, or with different ones ( https://www.audioadvice.com/rega-planar-3-2016-turntable.html ). The price doubles and performance certainly follows (not linearly, though).
Monitor Audio Silver 300 are great speakers that you could probably even audition at home (Crutchfield!), if you do not mind the trouble of shipping them back. They are very non-intrusive in the room and come in different finishes. Your wife may be satisfied.
However, at that price range there is a batallion of great speakers worth considering. It would be the best if, after reading reviews, you could hear a few of them so you get a feeling of what kind of sound you do like. All can be pleasing, but not all to everyone while they can all cost the same. Words in written reviews can mean different things to different people. Differences may be subtle, but important to you. Allocate another $1000 to speakers and choices will become overwhelming.
Get the real equipment first and play with whatever add-ons later.
EDIT: If the room is larger and you pick Monitor Audio Silver 300, you may consider a subwoofer, too.
"Is this a hard-fast rule?"There are no hard and fast rules.
You did not inquire about the cartridge for your turntable although it will be a very important piece of the picture. I see that turntable can be ordered with no cartridge, or with different ones ( https://www.audioadvice.com/rega-planar-3-2016-turntable.html ). The price doubles and performance certainly follows (not linearly, though).
Monitor Audio Silver 300 are great speakers that you could probably even audition at home (Crutchfield!), if you do not mind the trouble of shipping them back. They are very non-intrusive in the room and come in different finishes. Your wife may be satisfied.
However, at that price range there is a batallion of great speakers worth considering. It would be the best if, after reading reviews, you could hear a few of them so you get a feeling of what kind of sound you do like. All can be pleasing, but not all to everyone while they can all cost the same. Words in written reviews can mean different things to different people. Differences may be subtle, but important to you. Allocate another $1000 to speakers and choices will become overwhelming.
Get the real equipment first and play with whatever add-ons later.
EDIT: If the room is larger and you pick Monitor Audio Silver 300, you may consider a subwoofer, too.