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Speaker upgrade for classical music

Hi, I need recommendations for a speaker upgrade. I’m a classical violinist and listen almost exclusively to classical, opera and jazz. No movies, Atmos, etc.  I have a 17x14 listening room (doubles as practice room) with acoustical treatments (phase coherent diffusers at main reflection points and regular ones elsewhere).
Half my listening is in stereo and half in multi-channel (4.0 and 5.1).   All my recordings are either CDs or high-res—DSD and FLAC—audio files. I don’t have a turntable. 

My current system: Marantz SR 8012 amp, Yamaha S1000 CD transport, Exasound e38 DAC and Sigma streamer (connected to the Marantz with analog 5.0 inputs). Speakers: Polk Rti A7 stereo, CSi A6 center, Rti A3 surround, and dual REL T/7i subs. 
What I want: speakers with improved musical detail and clarity that really reproduces the expansiveness of the symphony hall or church. I like a warmer sound than a drier one.  What’s most important to me is to hear what the recording engineer heard. Budget: say 8k or less.

Recommendations?  One other thing: Can I try them out?  And how?  I’m in Santa Fe, not a huge metropolis with lots of audiophile shops. 
Thanks very much. 
ssmaudio
rinaldoberra's avatar
rinaldoberra
25 posts
 
I own the old magneplanar IIIa for 33 years. Insuperable for classic and jazz music.
avideo
222 posts
 
You should be considering a three way floor standing speaker of some type if you are playing classical music. I still have in storage a pair of Focal Electra Be speakers I used to have in my
TV and listening room in my last home. I had a larger listening room; a little larger than yours -and with a 200 Watt McIntosh amp driving them I was able to enjoy pretty much the entire sound spectrum. 
    By the way, I live in the Phoenix area and could even set up the speakers if you were interested in listening to them. I am planning to see the Focals later this month, so you could have first listen to them. 
rosscr
8 posts
 
Second the Sonus Faber recommendation.  (They also look great, if that is a consideration in your family.)

vinocour's avatar
vinocour
17 posts
 
Warm Greetings ssmaudio,Give Brian Herndon a call at Herndon Audio in Albuquerque.He has golden ears.  You can demo Magico and other speakers there in Albq.  I have purchased demo high end cables from him and he gave me great prices and was easy to work with.  I worked on the phone and on email with him.
Leon, formerly of Santa Fe for many years now rural Iowa
tlhub
23 posts
 
Here is my vote for Magnepan or Harbeth too.  I have owned serveal pairs for both over the last 30 years.  You might consider owning both.  For large orchestal / choral music use the Maggie's.  For chamber music or jazz use the Harbeths.  Magnepan's are terrific bargains and you don't have to go to the top of the Harbeth line to get a fantastic speaker - or - consider buying used.  Listen Up in Albuquerque carries Magnepan.  I have been a customer of Listen Up over the years and can recommend them.  You should go listen to Magnepan before buying them - they are not universally loved.  Good luck! Happy New Year!
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