What is the weakest link?

So the key question is:

Shall I start with the amp or with the speakers?

If I start with the speakers, I will be auditioning them with the exisitng Marantz PM6004 amp (home demo).

If I start with the amp, I will be auditioning it with KEFs Q300 (home demo).

Which approach do you recommend and why?

 First  it's better to look for the speakers that you prefer; when you find these, you can bring your Mara in shop, like I did with mine; when I heard the B&W 603 they were driven by a big tube amp = aggressive sound and harsh, incredible!! Switched to an ss amp Meridian 80 W-ish = the sound became softer, but with poor basses!!

I know it should be the  opposite, but this happened...so no way with those babies; but....

...last chance was to carry my poor pm 6004 ( 45 w-ish ) in shop drive = miracle: big bass, at low volume too and mild mid & highs.

And so I have purchased  these beautiful 603 S2 II hand and in my living room they are sound even better than in shop!

By the way, they are far better sounding and made than the newest and 2 time expensive B&W 684!

Sorry for my bad english, I'm writing from Florence, Italy; just my 2 pence ...  

IMO. It doesn't matter so much which you buy first, as long as you've decided on the Type/Class of amp you are going for....ie. come up with a rough long term plan.

Also, I personally would rather live with cheaper speakers driven really well, than good speakers driven no more than adequately...but this preference is not universally agreed upon.

The only way to get to hear what the type of brands I've listed sound like, is to go off the beaten track a bit.

eg. Creek + Epos are worth hearing

So not a million miles away from some good dealers then, if you have wheels that is. Audio Destination at Tiverton is only an hr away, Mike is a top banana bloke. Gulliford Hifi at Exeter not too far away. Southwest Analogue at Zummerzet for some nice valvey stuff. Audience at Bath. 

Matey who dealt with you at several acorns was prolly stacking shelves in Asda the day before,lol.

Do some shop research it will pay in the long run.

If you find yourself down here in 6 finger land you are more than welcome to pop in my place for a listen to something way different to what you have got. Pretty sure we could sort that out .

This is an offer the OP should seriously consider (imo)....learn a lifetime's worth of knowledge in an afternoon!