Dkarmeli also gives some good advice, which I must admit I thought about while writing the post above. It's an equally valid approach. Part of the decision process for you, I would think, is whether you consider the journey as part of the process. I'm not talking about endless rounds of tweaking that you say you are past. I agree w that completely, but then I'm not an analytical listener. If I can make an emotional connection to the music, I'm there. If I can't, then I don't really care why.
The success of the dealer model depends on finding someone whose goals, approach, personality, product lines, and location are sympatico to yours. Unfortunately, many people do not have access to such an animal at this time. Luckily for you, in the price range that you are talking about, one or two trips to a distant location would not be a significant portion of the cost, and there are several dealers who would deduct the cost of a trip from a completed sale. It's also more relevant for assembling a complete system than for finding a single component that has to integrate successfully w an existing system.
If that model sounds like it might work for you, you might consider talking to people like Mehran from SoraSound or Duke (Audiokinesis) who handle several of the lines I mentioned above. For example, Duke sells Soundlab 'stats and Atma-sphere and DeHaviland tube electronics. Mehran has Atma-sphere and VAC, several lines of tables, arms, and carts, and is very good at putting together an analog front end. Both are very highly respected as being knowledgeable, honest and customer-oriented. Paragon Sight and Sound has a travel re-imbursement program and carries Doshi and Wilson.
The success of the dealer model depends on finding someone whose goals, approach, personality, product lines, and location are sympatico to yours. Unfortunately, many people do not have access to such an animal at this time. Luckily for you, in the price range that you are talking about, one or two trips to a distant location would not be a significant portion of the cost, and there are several dealers who would deduct the cost of a trip from a completed sale. It's also more relevant for assembling a complete system than for finding a single component that has to integrate successfully w an existing system.
If that model sounds like it might work for you, you might consider talking to people like Mehran from SoraSound or Duke (Audiokinesis) who handle several of the lines I mentioned above. For example, Duke sells Soundlab 'stats and Atma-sphere and DeHaviland tube electronics. Mehran has Atma-sphere and VAC, several lines of tables, arms, and carts, and is very good at putting together an analog front end. Both are very highly respected as being knowledgeable, honest and customer-oriented. Paragon Sight and Sound has a travel re-imbursement program and carries Doshi and Wilson.