Mrtennis: When I am buying something for the first time or replacing something I can't live with, then I shop aggressively and work with a budget. When upgrading something I am happy with, my approach is more relaxed, a component has to sell itself to me. That said, there are always "constraints" and I probably couldn't go beyond "a few thousand" without having to sleep alone on the couch for an intolerably long time. :)
This process is necessarily slow. Unlike my first purchase, I am not spending all of my weekends at local dealers or driving several hundred miles to one. That a credible direct sale model has emerged bypassing dealers is a new opportunity and a complication as well.
Choices I see at present fall into two broad groups.
(A) I can remain within the British family with Harbeth, Spendor, Proac. But the models I have heard, even when they seem better than BC1's, don't seem enough of an improvement to justify the expense. Still, if a good used opportunity comes along, I may take the plunge. At least I will gain a few hz of extra bass and better power handling.
(B) I am intrigued by newer direct-sale models like GMA, Salk, Tyler, Zu. Unfortunately these are difficult to compare among themselves. Still, I will learn what I can as I find opportunities
But I am not in an active search. I have very good speakers and great music. I am simply open to change if an opportunity seems just right.
