Amp first approach to building a system, anyone ?

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.

Only if some hot amp is the lite of your life. 
Else it’s always speakers first.  👌

I am thinking whether this approach complicates or simplifies things or both.

Of course, you must just love your amp to even consider it. Some will only listen to their 300b amps and nothing else. How about $30k for NOS pair of Western Electric tubes ? At least that's what I read somewhere, might've been a slight exaggeration. They are said to last forever, though.

Interesting question and as age-old as "which came first - the chicken or the egg?".  Here's my two cents on this:

The business end of any high-fidelity sound system is the speakers.  Unless there is a strict budget involved, I believe speakers should be matched with an amplifier that can take full advantage of their design or sound fidelity capabilities.  As such, I see these critical component pieces as the inextricable core of a sound system.  When I purchased my first quality sound system, back when Christ was a corporal and I was a very poor college student, I reluctantly prioritized the amplifier over the speakers, electing to upgrade the speakers later on when I could afford it.  If I had to start from scratch again, I'd probably approach this in the same way if constrained by a budget.

Hello @inna ,  While they both are obviously important, The amp(s) are HUGE!  From my midfi setup I first tried new amps and was blown away at the difference.  So I did pick amps (Audionet) first really, before I upgraded my speakers.  Funny, people come over and say 'Wow, amazing speakers!'.  I just smile and say yes but it is also the electronics...  Now with great amps and speakers (Vivid Giya 2's) I focus on the DAC and streamer.  I think it takes really good amp and speakers to appreciate the upgrades in digital front end.