Amp first approach to building a system, anyone ?

The simple truth is, there is for some a Journey to be taken, where experiences of what can be achieved are crucial. 

Learning as the result of the experiences had, shapes the person towards what they are really aiming for as a destination.

When the Pupil is ready the teacher will reveal themselves.

In my case, nearly 40 years of interest in using a Audio System for owned recorded music, has introduced me to 100's is not a few thousand designs.

Some of the designs presented at intervals by individuals much more learned than I, have become the adopted design used by myself.

The Teachers met that have been instrumental in my making choices for a change, have remained friends since the first encounter. Sadly some are passed, and I proudly use their legacy and have no shame in introducing others on their Journey to it.

For this reason I am unfamiliar with a Brand as an OEM model, apart from a CDT in use in my system for many many years.

Cart's - Phon's - DAC - Pre Amp - Power Amp - Speakers are all bespoke/custom and certain devices are quite unrecognisable to what may have once been the original design for it.

The Room Acoustic Treatment has been a biggy for many many years but undertaken as a personal preference for the selection/methodology of treatments. With the New Speakers being such an attraction in use, there is REW Software and supporting tasks to get the very best in relation to what the data recommends being planned for the next few weeks to take place. I am waiting to be informed when a individual who really knows their stuff can visit. I am looking forward to learn my achievements and have the new education in this area.

Seems if amp first, much experience with that amp is important.

I’m not very tube experienced, so I purchased neutral speakers for both SS and flea watt tube so I can better hear and learn sonic differences when tube rolling. 

What worked for me was attending a few audio shows and discovering which brands I aligned with in taste and methodology, then building from there. I found that I prefer wooden speakers which resonate with the music, and then tube amps over ss, and finally realness and musicality vs technical mastery. This narrowed down the companies I wanted to give my money to and enabled me to feel confident in the goals I was pursuing. Component-matching is so important in this hobby, so if you can stick to compatible brands, or even stick with one brand, I feel you’ll find yourself appreciating the resulting system. 

In a sense, I did take a power amps first approach to building my system. They are the.oldest components in my system and I've had them over 25 years. All others have been subsequently replaced with better or upgraded - in some cases several times.  

I do think the audio shows will help you find your personal taste even if its not an optimal environment. Amp and speaker synergy is key and some match better than others. My goal with an amp is to never run short of headroom. I am a krell fan 700,600,650 all recapped by krell factory. Michi m8, accuphase m 1000, hegel h 30 a in mono and big macs are my starting point.enjoy the dopamine.