Room setting: new amp or new speakers?

@albymana I’m three years or so in to my adventure of exploring HiFi as a hobby/passion. I got intrigued listening to a friend’s system who I think had seven sets of speakers set up in one room; he was only playing two of them, but I couldn’t tell which ones —they had all disappeared! The only thing in the room was the sound of the music. I thought, I want that! I agree with the advice of several before me.

After acquiring several sets of used speakers myself now, along with both tube and solid state preamps and amps, when I’m listening, I find the source is the most important. 
Another way of putting it:

1. You’re listening to music, but you’re hearing the room. 

Take away: Fit the speakers to the room and treat the room as necessary. This step assumes you have enough power in your amp to power your speakers. I would consider getting an integrated (amp+preamp) for the synergy & simplicity at this point. 
2. Secure the highest quality source you can procure, after deciding digital or analog. If digital, spend/select the DAC. Might want to keep DAC separate, or buy higher end item in which DAC function is integrated. If analog, don’t skimp on the phono stage. I wouldn’t advise doing both at once. 

Takeaway: You can’t make a poor signal sound better with a bigger amp; better sound depends upon removing noise and distortion, the task begins at the source. 
3. Enjoy and experiment. Upgrade cables. Try different speakers (once you know your room). Try separates for amplification and/or DAC functions. Upgrade the power supplies if some of your components use bricks or switching power supplies. 
Takeaway: The only person you have to please is yourself. (per Andrew Robinson)

I agree with the several posters who advised to fix your room first.  Get a pair of good speaker stands for your Sonus Fabers and get them out into the room a bit.  You'll be surprised by the transformation of your system.  You'll be able to get a soundstage between the speakers and be better immersed by the sound.  Once you know the real potential of your system you can then decide what components to upgrade.  I believe you're correct in stating that your current speakers are better than your amp.  Once set up properly, obtaining new electronics will take your speakers further down the road (because they are capable).

Disagree with speakers first,

you need better electronics  so with a better amplifier you may be happy with the sonus fabers and you would set yourself up to properly power a new pair of loudspeakers  as the next upgrade

Dave and Troy

Audio Intellect NJ

@albymana 

Since you're new to this, you might be best served by an incremental, cost-contained approach that lets you try new stuff yet feel free to dump it if it doesn't work out.

First, your speakers need to be freed from their bookshelf gulag. Set them on decent stands like Monoprice, which will leave change from your $100 bill. Listen to that and see what that does for your room. Change one thing at a time, then listen at length

Next comes a decent amp. Your little Yamaha is okay but not ideal. Get more power than you think you need and high current output which will help your current speakers and might well be required to properly drive your next pair.

Third comes a good sub. All bookshelf speakers need a good sub.

Then the rest will come in its own time. Enjoy! 

+1 devinplomnier and ddgtt 

You should get your speakers out into the room on stands and spend some time finding a good location which optimizes bass performance and imaging. This will make a huge difference, and start you on the right path. Then if you like the sound but find them lacking in bass, consider a sub or 2. 

Depending on your listening levels, you may then find the need for more power.

Good luck, and enjoy!