What to update first: pre or power amp?

I am in the exact opposite camp as Stehno........Oh well such is life. The pre-amp has always had the biggest impact on my sytems performance, all things being equal, except for perhaps the speakers. However, having said that either component you upgrade (amp, pre-amp) is going to have a pretty significant impact. You mention your dealer does not stock the 140 does he/she stock or have as a demo the 17 and if so will he/she let you bring it home for a demo. No disrespect intended to Stenho we all have different experiences.

Chuck

Source first. If you don't have a good pre-amp, your amp and/or speakers (no matter how good) cannot make up for information that does not get to them. This has been proven, although some will undoubtedly disagree.

preamp and speakers are top for me...

I had a Magnum 88 and went to Magnum 120s and there was not a big difference. My point is, I am GUESSING the M88 is a better sounding piece than the M66 pre and therefore agree that you should get the pre first.

There is the argument that since the power amp controls the speakers you may want to upgrade that first. Especially since you have tubes and they do not always control the bass that well, however, The M88 controlled my Maggie 1.6 quite well and is a fine amp so stick with getting the new pre.

all the best,

Phil

keep the pre you have and get a more powerful rogue amp. the martin logans need gobs of power, and although most goners seem to prefer cj over rogue, i think the synergy between two quality components of the same family give you a system where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.