What you get out of your system is the result of all components working together. If you optimize the system you will get components that have the sonic qualities that you value (big differences between different companies house sound). Some companies specialize in detailed trebly components, some in heavy bass, some very natural and musical. The speakers are the larges determinate, but not by a long shot the only. Second, the better the components (yes, you can read that more expensive) the better your system will sound. You want to shoot for balance so you have no weak links or no off the chart better components.
A known excellent and synergistic match with your speakers is Audio Research and for connections Transparent Audio cables and interconnects (you can do that later). I ended up with this combination after forty years of slowly building better systems. I did not go out to get this combo... I found one component after another. I have had Audio Research preamps for forty years. and phono stages for thirty five... but their amps for less than ten.
I found by experience that once I have optimized my system all the components tend to be at the same level of performance... and consequently cost. This has happened more than once. The proportion has been around 30% speakers 15% amp, 15% preamp, 15% DAC, and 15% streamer and 10% wires. You have to choose by synergy and performance not by price... but it ends up like this because of the care and quality that goes into the components.
I would recommend looking at Audio Research LS28SE preamp, VT 80 SE, and an Aurender N200 streamer. I have basically a Audio Research DAC 9... I am hesitant to recommend simply because it is a bit long in the tooth. Although if something happened to mine, I would repurchase one immediately. It is incredibly synergistic with the other ARC stuff.
I have a friend that has been building his system with my help for a number of years... he has the preamp and amp... and wishes he had bought an Aurender. He is happy with his Linn DAC / Streamer for sound quality be struggles with the interface.
