Should speakers be upgraded before preamp and amplifiers?

Should speakers be upgraded before preamp and amplifiers?

Like everything else audio, that depends upon who you ask and/or who answers.

I did a quick search on those speakers and they seem pretty decent.  They might benefit from better electronics in front of them. 

You have new speakers and vintage electronics.

Did I google the wrong speakers?  Those are not exactly new, are they?

VR-2 are probably 20 years old if I'm not mistaken.  I have a pair of original VR-4 that I'm hanging onto for my son.

I also think that you need to upgrade your receiver before the speakers.  

What are you using for a phono cartridge and phono preamp?

You could get into streaming for very little money.  Something like a WiiM, Bluesound Node, or Cambridge. 

I would assemble a completely new system. Yes, first choose the speakers. $15k is not little, especially if you buy used pieces, at least some of them.

@daveoman 

If you’re simply asking which next component to change, then it’s the amp.

BUT, it sounds like you want to change both speakers and amps soon, so I suggest demoing speakers maybe 3-10k range, then get matching electronics.