Speaker swap or Amp,which impacts more????

Hi, I replied to your email. I think your tubes are the major part of the problem as they don't last forever. :) If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask either here or via E-mail.
Best Wishes
Greg

neither. all you are going to do is just add the new equipments sound into the room. i would look into one of the tact room correction units for sale on audiogon. it took me a long time to realize new gear does not change the real problem and thats the room. correct room problems and hear for the first time what your gear really sounds like. even minor room corrections makes a significant improvement to gear that even new gear cannot match. after doing the room correction thing then you can decide over time what gear you think is the weak link. most likely it will be the speakers and and avoid B&W. one thing about them until there new D line is they are tipped on the top which causes a brightness to the sound. not something you want to bring into a room that already needs correction. one speaker that is getting their rightful due is tyler acoustics. have two pairs of their top of the line woodmere's and their tyler signature monitors with stands. after 30 yrs finally found a speaker thats a keeper and you can find them right on audiogon when you are ready. go for room correction so you will have it with every gear change in the future.

bill

In regards to your preamp, LV2 and V2 are the most important positions for tubes followed by LV1 and V1.

2bigears:

Whatever your decision in the speakers vs amp question, definitely invest time in room setup and power fed to your system. In my case I didn't realize the real potential of the gear I owned 'til I started accoustics and pówer treatments. On the plus side all these will benefit practically any gear you change down the road in the quest for better sound journey. Good luck!

Changing speakers and adding room treatments and room correction will make far greater improvements than changing amplifiers, unless you are literally running out of power with your current amplifier. In addition, because differences in speakers swamp differences in well designed amps operating within power, it is far better to find the speakers you like first, then build the rest of the system around them.