Amp more important than speakers?

going speakers first, might lock a person into a particular camp and I see that as a sort of drawback.

if you grab a pr of panels because of how they image perhaps, then decide you want to try out an 8 watt 300b amp, it's speaker selling time!

Yes. But that is no different than buying an 8 watt amp and then deciding you want to buy Maggies. Now it's amp selling time! I think you were right when you said that everything matters. That's why it's amp selling time or speaker selling time - because the person was not forward thinking. If they were (and it's not always possible to be) then it would not matter what they bought first as long as they avoided things like big impedance mismatches.

Don't misread this, I certainly do not disagree one bit that the upstream components should be as good as you can get them. And yes, lower end speakers can sound great with higher end amps. But I think some lower end amps really do hit above their weight. Nait 5i, Exposure 2010s2, etc. These can be considered entry level but they definitely aren't bad. Same with their CD player counterparts. I guess your point would be if you go cheap on one part go cheap on the speakers and then try to upgrade those. Again, I'm not sure I'd disagree. Although, if you have resonance issues in a $500 speaker, that won't go away if you use a $20,000 front end. Nor will mismatches with the speaker and room. Surely if this is the case, a speaker change first is in order.

I guess I'm saying there aren't any hard and fast rules. You have to take each situation and evaluate it on it's own merits.

It’s all been said … here and on other pages. And doubtless, will be said yet again… this hobby harbours worlds within worlds.

Reasonableness when selecting what ever item is the underlying understanding going into this mess. I seldom mention it. Not too many folks actually do. Some degree of common sense is prerequisite.

Well, that and a bucket of bucks.

Speakers should fit the room or vice versa.

Amps should fit the speakers, or vice versa.

Ever notice there seems to be a lot of vice in this versa.

You can light the wick on either end of this candle… some light both ends.

Which ever way one flips the coin so long as active relationships between those components that can physically interact with each other are given their due, eg., room & speakers, I doubt anyone is going into the ditch on amp selection unless they’re ignoring the speakers needs.

If however, some skimping is a ‘must’ along the way, speakers (within reason) is where I’d skin it back. Albeit, skimp is such a harsh word. Truth be told, I am sparing with my purchases all along the way, if I can. I simply hate paying the prices some folks want for this stuff… but eventually, I break down and do it…. If I feel it absolutely must happen. Following much trepidation, hesitation, research, wondering, worrying, and praying.

Praying predominately the carrier du jour handles with care whatever it is I buy… or sell.

That’s the biggest black hole to this hobby…. Shipping. It’s like riding a motor cycle… it ain’t a matter of ‘if’…. It’s a matter of ‘when’ it’s gonna get laid down, especially with those folks.

… it’s easier IMHO to ship in & out amps than it is full size floorstanding speakers every couple 3 months. So there’s that.

Gee.. I wish I were a ‘Can’ lover first and foremost. Ear buds and HP amps? Both Should fit right in the mail box.

It’s tuff to change your game plan when it’s worked well for ya over time.

Stickman451 makes a good case for "speaker first" and Taters makes an equally compelling case for"amp first" approach. Come on guys either way can lead to satisfaction. What I don`t get are the insults toward those who don`t agree with the speaker first philosophy, we`re all grownups are`nt we?

My comments on going speakers first really have nothing to do with the relative cost of components; spend as much as you like and can afford!

Find a speaker that you really like and buy it. Then if you want to spend ten times as much (or more) on the front-end do that too. If you have made a good speaker choice then your efforts and $$$ on the front- end will reward you!

From my previous post on this particular forum. In my many many years at this, I have not experienced someone wanting to buy an amp, and then say, ok now, let me find speakers to match it. As a sales person and consultant during many of those years, I always directed customers to speakers first, based on characteristics they were looking for, and, the room they will be in. At that point, help them with an amp to drive them properly, for spl, impedence, tone, etc. During the upgrade process, this can be reversed. This happened to me when I transitioned to my 104 db speakers and found a smaller amp than what I was using. The larger amp did not have the detail, musicallity or even the "prat" that the smaller amp had. But again, it shows, for me anyway, speakers first. However, this in no way suggests that the amp is less important. I remember meeting Ivor T from Linn many many years ago, as he started with the source and worked his way from there. This too is a great approach, and in some ways made sense. My Linn LP12 set up through a japanese receiver and bookshelf speakers sounded more "real" than a cheap turntable through more expensive electronics and higher end loudspeakers. Ultimately, it is all a means to an end, just how to get there.