You may be asking too much from a front end. I don't think changing it is
going to make up for the limitations of your SET amplifier, which you've
described very well. I don't think putting a different front-end will necessarily
make more complex and layered dynamic music sound any less congested.
That is a very typical shortcoming of SET amplification. If you want to invest
some money into your system to get more enjoyment from that type of
music, why not add an alternative amplifier that excels in the areas SET is
lacking? For 2K you can get a nice integrated amp, or power amp, to use in
place of your SET amp(s) and you may find a whole other kind of enjoyment
from that music. I think the difference that direction might offer will probably
be more profound, in this case, than a change in the front end, which it looks
like is already pretty good (you listed a Droplet on your System Page, but
mention and older Sony here in the thread?). Don't get me wrong, I think the
front end is absolutely vital, but I don't think it's the culpret in your specific
quandry. Just a thought.
PS I'm not a "SET expert", but I do play one on TV
Marco