Replace the Supratek Chardonnay with Accuphase?

Instead of mixed salad, whose end-taste is really depend on your ability to mix and match the different tastes of each ingredients, you would have a salad dominated by the taste of one major ingredient. Now, an all accuphase system likely would have a very company specific coloration of sound - which would most resemble to the silky and joyful picture of Watteau, like this http://www.music.indiana.edu/som/courses/m653/ - but whether you will like it or not, that one you really should decide.

Thanks. Don't get me wrong the Chardonnay is a very nice pre, having said that I do feel the bass is not tight & could be a bit bloated (to my ears). I must admit I do like a tight bass with a bit of slam & with the A-60 being on the warm side does not help.

I m no expert but in general tube amps compared to a SS *lack* bass. Hence the thought of change.

Any comments on the AN DAC/ Marantz CD-17 vs the DP-500?

Thanks for your insight.

My speakers are B&W 802 S3

sorry this is off the topic but how do you like the Accuphase A 60? how do you describe its sound?

It sounds warm- more towards sounding tube than SS. Its detailed and clean, the soundstage is large and the bass is quite deep.
It surely puts out much more power than 60 watts and drives my B&W 802 S3 with ease. The build quality and finish is just incredible.

Jay:

I m no expert but in general tube amps compared to a SS *lack* bass

Actually it's the interface with the wrong spkrs that does that. BUT, anyway, you're speaking of the pre. Normally, there shouldn't be problems at one end of the spectrum (i.e bass) just because yr pre uses tubes. In fact tubes are quite good at amplifying small signals. It may be a characteristic of that particular pre -- but this is unlikely.
You've checked other parametres I assume (wires, source, etc)?