New speakers and guidance

What about room acoustics??

Annika, first, congratulations on your forthcoming retirement!

Re Daedalus, be aware if you already aren't that they offer 30 day return privileges, less two-way shipping and a $200 restocking fee.

Also, the various Daedalus models generally have a similar "house sound," as well as benign impedance characteristics and exceptional versatility with respect to amplifier selection. The bigger and more expensive models of course tend to have somewhat greater deep bass extension and a bit more sensitivity, and some models are designed to have wider sweet spots than others. I would expect that if you call Lou Hinkley at Daedalus he will provide you with valuable and honest guidance as to which model(s) would best suit your room, budget, and preferences.

I have owned a pair of Ulysses for nearly ten years now, and I continue to be delighted with them. My room is 22 x 13 x 8, somewhat smaller than yours, but I would expect that model to do fine in your room as well.

In the past year or so I have been using a Pass XA25 to drive the Ulysses, and for about seven years prior to that a 300B tube-based VAC Renaissance 70/70 MkIII. Both have provided great results.

I also own a Herron phono stage (the VTPH-2 in my case), and I can vouch for Miller's comments about it. And both Herron and Daedalus are among the very best manufacturers in terms of customer service and support, and are a pleasure to deal with.

I suspect that the lower gain version of the Herron (which is what most people buy) would be suitable for your 0.28 mv cartridge, but a call to Keith Herron would be advisable to confirm that. I'm using an Audio Technica AT-ART9, rated at 0.5 mv.

Eventually you will probably want to upgrade your line stage and amplifier. But of course you can do that in stages whenever funds permit, depending in part on the cost of whichever speaker model you decide on.

Best of luck as you proceed. Regards,
-- Al

@erik_squires my setup is in the family room, so treatments are in the context of decorating. I have a floor rug as well as rugs on the front wall. I also have curtains on the window on rear and one side wall.  Since it is a family room, it also has a large sectional couch.  The room sounds quite good all things considered.  Good thoughts on the room treatments. 

@almarg thanks for the comment on returns as I was not aware. I feel if I intend to purchase new I can call and discuss with Lou. However, it doesn’t feel right to me if I go the used route. 
The Herron unit does seem to get great reviews and I will call Keith. 
I appreciate the thoughts. 

Where do you live?  Do you have access to many audio stores locally?  I had Sonus Faber Amati Tradition Homage speakers.  I sold my house  and the new owner demanded them as part of the deal.  I went on a 4 month mission to go around the country by car to listen to as many different speakers that I could.  It was very enlightening.  I listened to Piega, Eggleston, Vivid, Meridien, Focal, Stenheim, Magico, Tekton, Spatial Audio, Magnepan, Vandersteen, Wilson, Raven Corvus, Harbeth, Avantgarde, hORNS Universum and YG to name a few.  

I know now is tough with retail stores being closed but when it does open, you owe it to yourself to take your time and find a speaker that will really resonate with you.  It's funny, after I did my speaker search, I ended up going in a totally different direction that I would have ever thought ---Viking Acoustic Grande Voix.

If you want a good combination speaker / amp, check out Raven Audio.  The Raven Corvus paired with Raven integrated amps are right in your price point and have a 30 day money back guarantee.  

What about a CAT preamp??

One of the best I've ever heard.