I disagree that someone should start with a source first and work their way to their speakers. Why do I think this? Because ultimately it is one's speakers that determines the limits of what a system can sound like.
You have to find a speaker that you like best first. Next you have to find an amp that matches the speaker. This is a pretty critical match because not all amps can really drive any speaker or sound good driving any speaker.
Next one must find a preamp that matches the amp. Amp/Preamp synergy is amazingly important for good sound. If these two pieces do not work well together, you can forget about good sound.
Last you focus on the source. BY now you have a system that can be transparent enough so you can hear the differences in sources in your system.
If you started with a grat source in a min or low fi setup, you really will have no idea what the final sound is going to sound like.
KF
You have to find a speaker that you like best first. Next you have to find an amp that matches the speaker. This is a pretty critical match because not all amps can really drive any speaker or sound good driving any speaker.
Next one must find a preamp that matches the amp. Amp/Preamp synergy is amazingly important for good sound. If these two pieces do not work well together, you can forget about good sound.
Last you focus on the source. BY now you have a system that can be transparent enough so you can hear the differences in sources in your system.
If you started with a grat source in a min or low fi setup, you really will have no idea what the final sound is going to sound like.
KF