hi, i trying to to get my first system together

One more option, if you don't want phono or plan on adding vinyl at any time ... pair the Odyssey amp with Odyssey Candela Tube preamp ($1,600 base).

"01-12-15: Phd
I would put in a vote for buying speakers first since they will lay the foundation for your system and because you are working within cost restraints (which many are) buy efficient speakers so you don't have to invest in expensive amplification."

I disagree. You can get yourself into trouble doing it that way. I have a pair of Wilson speakers that are very efficient and if you don't use high quality amplification, they sound like crap. Not only that, with efficient speakers, its very easy to get noise. If you don't match the speakers very carefully with regards to gain and overall build quality, you can get a nasty hiss. For a beginner, I would avoid those types of components.

"01-12-15: Schubert
Everyone always seems to say speakers first, I'd rather listen to a $500 pr of used speakers with a $ 2,000 good integrated Hegel or Yamaha amp than vice-versa. Any day."

You still have to take things on a case by case basis and match your components, but that's a very good strategy. Its a much safer way to go for best results.

Zd542, I should of made myself clearer in my post that a less powered less expensive amp does not have to be lower in sound quality. Let me refer to the line-up of Conrad Johnson amps as an example. You already know that their 100 WPC will cost you less than their 200 WPC amp. Does not mean the 100 WPC amp sounds inferior to their 200 WPC. In fact many would suggest that if you have efficient speakers and can get by with the lower powered amp would actually sound better.

I have owned many amps and I never encountered a hiss problem with efficient speakers.

Does anyone know what type of a system he wants ?

"01-13-15: Saki70
Does anyone know what type of a system he wants ?"

Yes. He wants a good one.