I know buying speakers first is the old school mantra, and that the amp/speaker combination is the most important thing of all. However, I would not say that finding speakers for a particular amp is crazy backwards, as Elizabeth seems to think. She loves her Maggies, Maggies require a lot of power, that is fine.
Some love single ended tube amps, which require more efficient speaker designs, there is nothing wrong with that choice either. One path is not more or less crazy than the other. I have heard systems designed from both approaches, and when the amp/speaker combo is right, they both work equally well. There are many ways to reach audio nirvana, there is not one specific road with a map.
I would go to as many stores as I could if I were you, and listen to music. Don't go with any preconceived ideas in your head, listen to all types of speaker and amplifier combinations. Take along lots of software that you are familiar with. Find the one that you like the best, then try to keep that combination together (amp and speaker).
Source can be filtered in later and is not as important as getting the amp/speaker combo right. Obviously you cannot drag your equipment all over town, but if you find a dealer that will allow you to try various sources in your own room at home, obviously this is a dealer to hold on to and support. Enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
John
Some love single ended tube amps, which require more efficient speaker designs, there is nothing wrong with that choice either. One path is not more or less crazy than the other. I have heard systems designed from both approaches, and when the amp/speaker combo is right, they both work equally well. There are many ways to reach audio nirvana, there is not one specific road with a map.
I would go to as many stores as I could if I were you, and listen to music. Don't go with any preconceived ideas in your head, listen to all types of speaker and amplifier combinations. Take along lots of software that you are familiar with. Find the one that you like the best, then try to keep that combination together (amp and speaker).
Source can be filtered in later and is not as important as getting the amp/speaker combo right. Obviously you cannot drag your equipment all over town, but if you find a dealer that will allow you to try various sources in your own room at home, obviously this is a dealer to hold on to and support. Enjoy the ride.
Cheers,
John