Opinions needed; which is a better choice and why?

I believe it is first necessary to have your final objective clearly understood. In order to obtain the quality of music your amplification is capable of reproducing, the amplification must be on the same performance level as the other equipment in the system. It is also true that the other considerations such as speaker efficiency must also be considered. I would advise you set set your performance goals and then borrow an amplifier from a local dealer. Get a first hand idea of how the new amplifier will increase your enjoyment of the music. Begin to learn what other changes may have to be made. It's about the music and that is a very personal thing.

Interesting discussion folks... Thanks. I certainly do not think there is a "best" is any part of audio. Everything is a compromise of some sort. I have listened to some integrated stuff lately that has knocked me out. The last being an Audiomat Aprege (tube EL34) at a very reasonable price (<$1,400).

There are a lot of great flavors of ice cream too. I wonder, do you guys like vanilla with your own chocolate or do you buy Rocky Road?

Sincerely, I remain

So far the advice I have received has been very helpful. I am leaning towards deciding on my speaker selection first and building my system around them. But I also believe the theory of garbage in garbage out so that makes the source the most important. Too many decisions!
I must say the most intriguing idea I have received so far is to buy a source such as a Theta Miles or Mark Levinson 39 or even an EAD (Diskmaster?), which has analog volume control and hook directly to my amp. Has anyone had success with a setup like this?
I am also starting to contemplate buying one very high level component and building my system around it, as my budget seems a little on the low side to have a truly mind blowing system.
In addition, is the Odyssey Stratos for real or is it all hype? If any of you Stratos owners out there read this, what amp would you say the Stratos' sound most resembles? I am curious since I cannot audition them and even if I home demo one I have read several places that they have a very extended break in period.
I cannot wait till Saturday; I have discovered a couple more high-end dealers in my area that I did not know existed.
Thanks again for all the advice! I will keep ya posted on my adventure into the realm of high-end audio. I told my wife she is in trouble as I think I may have been bitten by the audiophile bug.

Meby! Stay away from those HiFi shops!!! Buy everything on Audiogon. You will save at least 50% overall. And when you upgrade, you won't lose much money by selling your components. When I started, I did the same as you. I bought EVERYTING at the HIFI shop and then discovered Audiogon. Then I felt so dumb for not finding this site earlier. I figured out that I lost about 1-2 K by going the audio shop route initially. Use the info on these forums and buy from the members. Have fun and let us know what you end up doing.

This may be a little in bad form, but I am planning on going to the Audio shops just to audition equipment to see what I like and then purchase off of Audiogon. The only equipment I feel maybe a bad idea to buy off of Audiogon is speakers and CD players, but I still would purchase them as dealer demos.
Maybe my thinking is wrong here but are not speakers easily damaged in both shipping and being over driven? Also speakers are so heavy I would imagine they would be cost prohibitve to ship? I am also thinking that the drawer and laser could easily be damaged on a CD player if not shipped correctly? That is why I am am a little heasitant to purchase those components with out at least at 30 day warranty. I am just paranoid?