Starting From Scratch - What would you do?

With some,no a lot of searching around, listening to all sorts of amps, speakers, cd players, etc... I was able to put together an "awesome" system. DK integrated(MKII is great, and cheap used) Reimer Wind Rivers(see clearsound here at audiogon, the Consonance cd-120 cd player,and Reality cables, too. Everyone that has sat for a listen has been awed.Even the wife. No more complaints on the cost, so there! The custom Reimers with the 10" woofers are a dream come true. My audiophile friends have told me,"You did it!" and "I want those!" It is worth the time and effort if you are spending serious money for serious performance. Can I do better. Isuppose, but man am I a happy camper. Good luck with your quest!

Yes, you should probably begin with the speakers you love and work backward, but that doesn't mean you have to buy the speakers first and then the rest. I found the speaker range that I wanted first, and then I bought my amp. When I finally got the speakers, I was quite satisfied with the combination.

Start with the sourse components & economize in everything else.

Where are you? Have you taken the plunge?
I agree, start with good speakers, then source. Avalons are fantastic. I prefer the Eclipse- both for the $ and your room size which is close to mine. Tubes are a great/preferred match for the Eclipse. BAT VK60 are awsome, but can be tweaky. The Eclipse demand power, so keep that in mind. Ayre, BAT, Edge are candidates.
Please post an update so we can give you our advise. May not be the best, but it's free!

Your system has too many wires and is too complex.
Much refined sound in Triangle Celius and Rogue Cronus Intergrated with less wires and no sub.Very clean well defined musical sound.I heard this combination at a friends and was fairly impressed with sound for the dollars.