I've done that a couple times, complete with the selloff of parts (and later all) of my esoteric high-end headphone collection (Qualia 010, L3000, etc). The 1st time was a bad call. The 2nd time worked great, because by then I had a better handle of what I liked speaker-wise, and had owned/heard enough of that brand's models (Tannoy DC) to know I should stretch towards the biggest/best one I could afford -- Kensington SE, at the time. The in-shop audition definitely blew me away. Though after purchase, there was a rough patch for a few weeks as my supporting gear was not quite up to par (decimated after raising funds for the speaker, really) and I was figuring out placement issues. However, I do remember it all snapping into place with a particular placement and an old Eico HF-87 (w/ cheap EH EL34 tubes, no less), and it was glorious! Three very satisfying years followed, until I upgraded to a even bigger model in the line (Canterbury SE).
The speakers ARE the most important piece of a system, so I do think it's fine to plan around those first and bring the supporting gear in line a piece at a time as possible. Good speakers will plainly reveal individual changes, and let you know whether it was a good move. Good speakers can also play nicely with the right selection of "budget" gear. To me, a speaker touted as demanding only the very best in recordings and gear is not a speaker I will tolerate (read: usually the wrong kind of bright, analytical, bass shy, or all 3).
In retrospect, I approached this hobby without a sufficient amount of patience for far too long. And the cost of this is significant in time, money, and frustration.
The speakers ARE the most important piece of a system, so I do think it's fine to plan around those first and bring the supporting gear in line a piece at a time as possible. Good speakers will plainly reveal individual changes, and let you know whether it was a good move. Good speakers can also play nicely with the right selection of "budget" gear. To me, a speaker touted as demanding only the very best in recordings and gear is not a speaker I will tolerate (read: usually the wrong kind of bright, analytical, bass shy, or all 3).
In retrospect, I approached this hobby without a sufficient amount of patience for far too long. And the cost of this is significant in time, money, and frustration.