Upgrade amp. or speakers first?

I attended RMAF this year and made a point to stop into a room that I had really enjoyed last year. The only thing that changed significantly was the speaker. A different make and model was chosen this year. The amplification remained the same. This room year was a disappointment.

What's the point? Well, in my opinion, the speaker selection changed the sound significantly, which affirms why I suggest selecting speakers first, and then selecting amplification that will drive them well.

Obviously, if you own or are considering buying tubed amplification...and any of the sub sets of tube amplification, you must be careful to select speakers that can be driven by the amplification that you own or that's on your radar.

That said, there's no right answer, and there are several roads that will get you to your destination.

Good luck.

10-27-10: Tvad
This room year was a disappointment.

Very sorry for the lazy editing.

Should read..."The room this year was a disappointment".

For sure you can change speakers and the sound will always change dramatically but is it change you can live with? Been there done that. Sure for a different sound get a different pair of speakers.

The single ended guys go at it the other way, They start with the amps and then of course choose speakers to go with the usually limited power they have.

From my experience a superb sounding amplifier will sound superb or at least very good on a set of capable speakers.

pick amp and speakers as a synergistic pair.

I mean, say you just bought some speakers you really liked.....for some reason, you now want to go amp shopping and risk not liking the result. Nope, I'd buy 'em together.......
But that's just me.

I'll toss my hat into the front to back method for who ever is counting.

My short answer though is I’d upgrade both…. Asap.

RE which one first?
I've heard very expensive speakers sound not so good on modest front ends, and I've heard modestly priced speakers sound outstanding off a great front end.

In other words, what the speaker see's is the most important thing. The signal quality, and at times, how much there is of it. The speakers needs for power (juice) is always a consideration, as well as is it’s voice.

What sort of voice & how much juice you want to feed them regularly is going to be your main concern?

Gonna stay SS forever? Wanna try tubes? How about SET?

As signal purity is IMHO 'PARAMOUNT' I prefer the source to speaker plan.

Consequently, less money needs be spent on speakers that way right off. For a good long while too. Ultimately though you'll want to upgrade them most likely.

By that time however, you will have established a far better degree of signal quality, and adding fine speakers will let you have a better feel for what it is you want in a loud speaker by then... Two ways, two and one half... full range... panels.. horns... etc.

I prefer that path versus jumping on expensive speakers and then trying to catch up to them by adding the proper match for them in terms of power amp.

Great front ends will make modest speakers sound great!

Great speakers with modest front ends won't sound like they should or could.

so it comes down to this for me, Do I want a great sounding system now? Or a great sounding system in a year or two or three?

If you're in a hurry... and on a budget too... go front to back. If there's no budget constraints well, have at it all, naturally. I assumed there is some money concerns given the initial question though.

About the only thing one can take from threads like these is the speaker & amp combinations are nearly THE key to a good system. That blend is indeed very very, integral.