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Which to Upgrade first? My Amplifier or Speakers?

I have owned a nice system for years, but I am hardly an audiophile. You people impress me with your depth of knowledge of audio. I've been following this site for some time. This is my first post.
From time to time I replace or upgrade components. I've got a tricked out Linn Sondek LP 12 turntable. I recently acquired a McIntosh MP 100 phono amp and am hearing LP's now that exceed anything I've heard on CD's and equal if not exceed the output of my SACD's. I bring this up only to give a flavor of what I listen to.
The issue is as follows: I have a McIntosh MC 206 Amp that I bought in 2003 that puts out 200 watts per channel. I have no issues with it, although I've never had anything to compare it with. I've read some impressive reviews of how much of a difference an amplifier can make to the quality of sound output. For speakers I have Magnepan 3.6R's that I also bought in 2003. I love them. I can only afford to upgrade one at a time - let's say in the neighborhood of 10 - 12K. So, I'd like to hear what this august body has to say about which I should upgrade first and why? The amp or the speakers? Thank you.
normantaylor

Showing 1 response by david_ten

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Norman, don't let yourself be too impressed... : )

Since you can only upgrade one component at a time, given that the Maggies are harder to drive...if it were my choice, I would start with the speakers.

Reason being: the Maggies will force / restrict amplification choices should you keep them and choose to upgrade the amp first.

For speakers, I'd narrow it to a category of speaker type. Since you have had electrostatic and panels for nearly 17 years, perhaps be open to another speaker category.

Personally, I recommend higher efficiency speakers...they will offer you a much broader amplification palette to choose from. And should you choose a higher efficiency speaker you can enjoy them with your McIntosh amp until you are in a position to replace it.

FYI, Maggie 1.7s driven by a McIntosh stack are one of my favorite (top) local audiophile systems. 
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