Where do I start-amp or speakers ?

^A specious argument. Sources can't fix what is contaminated by the speakers. It matters not if the contamination is at the beginning, end, or in between.  Speakers are the most colored link in the chain, and furthermore, the link most compromised by what's around it.

If you don't like your speakers then where will you be?

My room is a typical 80’s “vaulted ceiling “ room. 10 feet at speakers’ wall, 20 ft vaulted to the rear ceiling wall, 18’ length of room. 16 wide. Wide doorway open to DR.
I think Maggies would be too tall, but maybe not. I’d like to try them, but then here we go again with the monster amp arms race. 
Great posting guys. Thanks much. 

My room is a typical 80’s “vaulted ceiling “ room. 10 feet at speakers’ wall, 20 ft vaulted to the rear ceiling wall, 18’ length of room. 16 wide. Wide doorway open to DR.
I think Maggies would be too tall, but maybe not. I’d like to try them, but then here we go again with the monster amp arms race. 
Great posting guys. Thanks much. Maybe I should just start with a nice rack...

I suggest that you think of what type of speaker you want and then you can narrow your choice of amplifier. You can do that the other way around as well; however, the amp can be placed anywhere but the speakers should have an optimal location. As to speaker, what is it that you want for the money, a balanced speaker in terms of dynamics, bass extension, wide or narrow listening area, tonal fullness...? When you decide on the type of sound you want, you can choose a speaker and mate it with the proper amp. As to electrostat and planar, I suggest a beefy solid state amp. As to dynamic speakers with high efficiency, a tube amp. For those dynamic speakers with low impedance and difficult to drive, again preferably solid state or some huge tube amps (too expensive for you). So, it’s your decision how you want the speaker to act first, then choose the amp.

You can alter the listening area with Hallographs and Synergistic Research Atmospheres/HFTs. They can widen the listening area and focus the sound but that’s more than you are willing to spend.

That’s why I suggested used high efficiency dynamic speakers with low coloration and easy to drive overall for tubes or solid state. You don’t have to buy new to get great sound.