Where do I start-amp or speakers ?

@michaeljbrown 

I am of the speaker-first persuasion. But really for me, the most important thing is speaker/amp interaction. I'm going through it right now with the TAD E-1s. They sound utterly amazing with some amplification but just OK with others. My problem is that the utterly amazing combo is waaay outside my budget, and that's just for the amp. So be aware that the pairing of speaker and amp/pre or integrated will make or break how the system sounds.

That is a lot of good information, guys.Thanks much. I haven’t settled on an amp yet, just considering the good deal on the Cary 202.2 presented me by a trusted dealer friend. I’ve never owned any speaker but a Thiel; so, it’ll be fun to try something new. I have run into a couple of real audio characters in this hobby, one of whom has owned over 150 pair of speakers. I have decided I would like to bring a few pair in and out of my system and to do so it looks like I’ll need a pretty versatile amp. I’ve had a couple of krells, a 300fpb & some 250 monos, as well as a Quicksilver tube. It was only 15 wpc, I think, but it did fine paired with some big Altecs. I think this will be fun! I’ll start with the Cary or maybe the Schitt monos, I forget what weird name they are: Vardin or Vostok or something like that. Or maybe a tube amp...

My problem is, I can’t hear a speaker without an amp. And I don’t have either one right now. So I’ll see what’s out there and report back!

@michaeljbrown You mentioned early on that you had Altec horns with tubes, so the Thiels are not the only speakers you owned ( lived with ). You say the horn system sounded pretty good, but, what I gather from your information, the best sound you achieved ( enjoyed ) was the Krell and Thiel combo ( specifically the smaller Thiels of the 3 ). You know the music you enjoy listening to, and have some idea of the listening levels you enjoy. If this is correct, then you have a good idea of the sound you like. Your room size is quite smaller ( different ), with much higher ceilings. Your speaker / room / listening position will likely be quite different than the prior room, so I would concentrate on speakers first, and compliment them with the amp ( imo / ime ). To get started, obtain a 2nd hand ss amp with some power and current ( another Krell, but I am sure you can get some recommendations here ), which will open you up to any / most speakers, and once you find the speakers, determine if the amp is a keeper. And of course, pay attention to room acoustics and the incoming power from your breaker. Enjoy the journey, again !

No question... Speakers First !   

Have fun on your system rebuild adventure ...