The beginning of my stereo set up


I was starting to listen to vinyl more than HT and the old Definitive bp's amps were starting to go.
I started with an integrated amp (primaluna 400). Yes I know that's ars backwards but I've always wanted a tubed amp and this amp would run almost any speaker. It was accessible for auditioning 4 different brands of speakers I was interested in. We auditioned Revels,kef,B&W,Focal,Klipsch,Martin Logan and Legacy Audio. (whew)
After about 2 months I went with the Audio Legacy Signature SE in Cherry, The Focal 936's were second.
Next were the cables, this didn't take as long but like the Primaluna and the Legacy Audio I had to talk my wife into spending a little bit more than she wanted to(ok a lot).
From what I read Audio Legacy recommends these and they seemed like the right cables for my set up from what I read. I went with the Morrow Audio SP4 Bi-Wire with spade connections.
Audio Video Therapy in Nashua was fantastic, very accommodating, they asked questions, gave us all the time we needed and we played what music we wanted without asking.
I wrote and called Audio Legacy with questions, Receptionist hunted down a sales person (thank you) and if it wasn't for Brice taking the time and a genuine interest I wouldn't have been able to get the Signature SE's. (grey grills too)
The speakers should be here in a couple weeks and the cables I just ordered so those will be about 2 weeks.


128x1281jafa
I'm currently using a technica lp120 turntable with an updated audio technica cartridge and a Chinese tube pre amp.
Turntable is next on the list to replace.
Does Legacy still have the trade up program?
When we went to audition the Legacy Audio speakers it was at a sound studio and he was using the Focus SE from a sound board and a turntable that he kindly found and hooked up. I was originally looking at the Classic hd speakers but after debating with the wife that these 2 speakers had different tweeters and he wasn't using a tubed amp I knew the Classics would sound different. The Signatures were still out of our price range of $5,000-$5,500 but the stars aligned and the speaker gods were on my side that day, I paid much more but Brice made it happen.
I hope the cables and speakers sound good while they break in.


1jafa OP ...

You won't go wrong with the Legacy Signatures. Like all Legacy speakers, they perform WAY beyond their price point. They love tube electronics too, so good choice there as well. The Focus' are great for large rooms but can overwhelm a smaller environment. Also, both speakers are very efficient, so they can operate with lower powered (and less expensive) amps. I'm driving my Signature IIIs with an ARC REF-75se and the amp just coasts no matter what is thrown at it. A friend drives his Signature IIIs with a modified Dynaco 70 (35wpc) and it sounds glorious. The same friend drives his Focus' with a pair of modified Altec theater amps that I think are around 60 wpc, and it is one of the best systems around. 

Frank
I don't think it's backwards to start with an amplifier. It's the synergy of amplifier and speakers that matter & different amplifiers (as well as source components) can dramatically change how a particular pair of speakers sound.