Suggestions please: upgrade from Dynaudio S1.4

I mostly listen to classical orchestra work and piano (the lower registers of piano never sounded "great" on S1.4)

The S1.4 is an amazing speaker for it's price, in fact for me, it is hard to find a better one within that price. It's shortcomings are evident when listening to acoustic instruments like piano, violins and specially cellos. The tone and harmonics are Somehow lacking and much to be desired. I still own and kept the 1.4s but have moved to the C1s for my main listening and I am quite pleased with the presentation which IMO, is much closer to the real sound by a considerable margin. I've also listened to the Harbeth SHL-5 which is an excellent speaker but the C1s presented a more convincing live presence for me. Other speakers to consider are from Verity Audio Parsifal, Vivid Audio, Sf Elipsa and Audio note. They are more expensive but so far those are the speakers which I felt is a step up to the C1s. Good luck!

Because of the power limitations of the E-530 amp and because of the large dynamic variation in classical music I would not recommend you to get the S5.4s. Firstly, the amp will work much harder and therefore will get much hotter when driving the S5.4s. Secondly, from my experiences, you will not be able to achieve that much higher SLP levels with the S5.4s compared to the S1.4s before the amp will clip. If, however, the S5.4s appeal to you that much, try them in your room before committing (and check the meters of your E-530 amp).

On the other hand, I second the C1 + sub(s) suggestion(s). The C1s alone would be a significant step up from the S1.4. Adding also a good sub (e.g. Rel or Velodyne) will further improve the playback at both loud and soft volumes. Normally, clipping should not be a problem in this set up. I too have an Accuphase combo, the E-550 class A integrated (like yours 30 watts into 8 ohms) and the DP-500 cd player driving a pair of Focal Micro Utopia Be complemented with a Rel Stentor 3 subwoofer. In the dealers room, the E-550 clipped while driving my Micros (without the sub) at loud levels. This however never happened in my room where I also use the Rel (even though my room is approximately two times larger than the dealer's room).

For classical music and piano my speaker recommendation would be Avantgarde Uno or Duo. I have recently listen to the Unos driven by the Accuphase E-560 class A amp and the combination was just marvelous. Due to their high efficiency these speakers are able to give a rather realistic reproduction of the dynamics of an orchestra at both low and high volumes, plus the 30 watts of your Accuphase will never be an issue.

I have never heard the Jeff Rowland Continuum 500 integrated, but being very found of Accuphase I would recommend you to go for one of the more powerful Accuphase class A/B integrated, e.g. E-408, E-450, E-460. You already like/know the Accuphase house sound.

Wow, what great responses, not it makes the decision easier (if not more complicated) but definitely very thoughtful and helpful inputs! You guys really understood my concern

I still like the idea of adding a sub, and move up to C1, which seems least painful. Move to separates sounds nice too, but I think it is time to move up from S1.4 though I definitely agree, for the price, it is the best I listened to. And it could be the next step.

I like how people described the Harbeth, somehow it does seem attractive to me (maybe I am judging by the look?). I would find a chance to listen to then though, and it may attract me when I hear them. Comparing it to Dynaudio, first I think Dynaudios are very neutral, at least compared to KEF or B&Ws, and I don't think they are "too cool", especially with Accuphase. I don't know what the approach Harbeth is, but I imagine it would be hard to beat the neutralness while I could expect better instrument separation and depth (which is not overly good with the S1.4).

On the other side, I love that Nvp brought up the Avantgarde, I was intrigued by their form, (again, by the looks) and I had been thinking about high sensitivity speakers to "save" my E-530 as I really like the class-A sound compared to the higher power rated E-4XX series. Seems they are hard to find, but I would love to hear them with the Accupahse, and the avant-garde form may just stimulate my desire to own them!

I own C1s and love them, having upgraded within the Dyn family (last speakers were Special 25s). IMO, the C1 is a very special speaker, especially at the price. If you can afford them, buy them. Try them without a sub, you may be perfectly happy. If not, add one or two later.