SEEKING ADVICE: Which component would you upgrade first?

some prefer vintage gear, but my experience is that most do not. An alternative is to have your gear refurbished, old caps replaced etc...my budget conscious friends have been very happy with current Cambridge electronics and Elac (Andrew Jones) speakers, at various prices...vintage gear is selling at very high prices these days...

@dougsat My brother has those Pioneers. Good speakers, heard them a lot but I would prefer a.... I included a link, did you not see that?

Okay I saw the link missed it the first time. I had a few of those speakers on that list.

The OP's Yamaha N-1 speakers are especially highly regarded.

Personally if these (OP) speakers aren't having any issues to speak of I would keep them. I am not sure the speakers available for under a Grand would be a slam dunk. YMMV.

I did pick up a pair of Polk Reserve 200 Anniversary edition recently and so far my findings - these are an excellent speaker for the $$.

Unless @lukasread only wants to playback vinyl I still like the addition of adding a streamer. So much music that I wouldn't even been aware of I am now enjoying. It used to be the radio that was the source for new music, now (for me) it is streaming. Plus it sounds really good!

Other than that a suggestion of a new cartridge is also a great idea. 

Cheers 

new amp the vintage pioneer will not have the clarity of a modern amplifier

@dougsat I agree it's a tough question from a small budget. But not impossible. I have been spending $3-500 a year and have made improvements.