Next Biggest Improvement after Speakers ?

In my experience, amplifiers and speakers tend to be synergistic. I'd encourage you to consider your choice of amplifier in association with your speaker selection. That being said, of the systems I've built or worked with, the greatest impact after speakers has come first from the front end, then preamp (or phono stage if using vinyl), then amplifier, then cables. In vinyl systems, until one experiences this it can be surprising how overwhelming are the differences among phono stages. And, notwithstanding the above, (1) it is the SYSTEM and how all of the components complement one another that matters and (2) it ALL makes a difference - everything has a sound and everything changes the sound of your system.

rushton is right on. amps and speakers are a marriage some work well together and some dont. also, cables play a very important part in having everything come together ( cables are just as important as a component imo)

your front end and pre amp are extremely important. it all starts at your front end, if your source isnt musical, then it will not make to your pre and then to your amps and then your speakers.

overall your system is only as good as weakest link. it hard to find a good preamp (they start @ $3k new and $1500 used). there are plenty of good amp, speakers, sources, and cables. getting it all to work together ( ie synergism) is a completely differnt story.

all of us remember when we heard our first high end system, chances are it was in a audio shop and waaayyy more than could be afforded.

so you start assemblying your system piece by piece in hopes of it sounding like you the first system you heard or maybe better as hear more systems.

the sad truth is there are no 2 exact systems anywhere in the world with the same type of room.

as you go along your expectactions change and your notice that good components start @ $3k each and good cables start at $600 each (imo)

so during this whole process ( it is fun) you will find certain combinations of gear work together well and it really takes a very good dealer to help you out and / or other audiophiles and it takes 1-2 years to sometimes tweak a system ( thats how long in my case) and i am know starting to get good sound after 10 years at this.

hope this helped.

mike

IMO--

Speakers
Source
Preamp
Power Amp
Cables

Hi, My ears say it's the room and speaker set-up. Speakers should be properly position and nothing (no rack, stand or TV) between them. As for the gear,if you listen at mostly low to moderate levels and have high eff.speakers (1) an all tube integrated amp, very musical and involving sound.(2) (The right match of cables for synergy.(3) Try 2 dedicated lines(1 digital,1 analog) also with upgraded outlets.(sold my line conditioner)(4) In some rooms a powered sub is needed to help the tube integated amp and speakers out.(5)And of course a cd/dvd player(with the right player this could be no. (2) on your list. 24/96 or 24/192, dac,tubes, dvd-a , sacd, what ever sounds good to you. Overall keep it simple and fun and try a few free tweaks. Jerry

You left one out: the ROOM.

Brian Walsh