My jazz collection told me to get a *real* system

Jazztherapist,
Inna offers some good suggestions. The speakers are important "but" so is every other part of the audio signal chain, thus the weakest link (in the chain) analogy applies. In my opinion the Epos M5 are not the weak link in your system. I’d put available resources toward better turntable, Phono stage and integrated amplifier.

In you stated budget range you can research and find a high quality solid state integrated (especially if you buy used). Stereophile found the Epos M5 to have a good balance of detail and an organic character (that’s good). J.A. said measurements were impressive for such a modest priced speaker, surely a compliment.

So based on your financial realities and long term plans I’d keep the Epos (for now) and focus on improving your analog source and amplifier quality. The Epos seems good enough to be able to reflect and exploit upstream upgrades.
Charles

Some thoughts:

1. Don’t rule out tubes. You would be amazed at how good a tube amp can bring out subtlety, texture, and nuance. No disrespect to SS.
2. Buy quality that will last the years. In my main system, I have had the tube power amp (Prima Luna PL5) for 12 years, the preamp/ cd player for 13 years (Musical Fidelity CD Pre 24), the SACD player for 16 years (SONY SCD 555ES), and the speakers (Opera Platea) for 8 years.

Now that I have turned 60, I start wondering when I will need to pull the trigger on the last, great rig.

Once you upgrade the NAD, you will upgrade the EPOS eventually. In the interim, you can hear what an amp a few notches above the NAD can do with the EPOS. (Note: I owned the NAD 320 until I upgraded to tubes).

I would suggest the following top of the line Prima Luna tube integrated as the anchor of your new system. It should last 20 years, if not longer. It is certainly powerful enough for most speakers. PL makes tube ownership easy with adaptive bias. PL probably offers a phono preamp board for this amp.

https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collections/primaluna/products/primaluna-dialogue-premium-hp-integrated-amplifier

You have to start somewhere. Good Luck with it all.


Rich

Thanks, folks, this is very helpful so far. I live in the South Bay, so I'll see about brick-and-mortar shops (open to suggestions if anyone is in the SF area).

I'm open to tube gear if I'm not going to get the best out of my jazz collection without it. I'm just not sure what I should be looking at if I go down that road.

Thanks, Rich! I'll look into the PL.

I would suggest the following top of the line Prima Luna tube integrated as the anchor of your new system. It should last 20 years, if not longer. It is certainly powerful enough for most speakers. PL makes tube ownership easy with adaptive bias. PL probably offers a phono preamp board for this amp.

https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collections/primaluna/products/primaluna-dialogue-premium-hp-integrated-amplifier

You have to start somewhere. Good Luck with it all.

Rich

 

jazztherapist-this is a VERY good piece for the money, has a decent  phonostage,basically plug and play.

I would offer the guy $3500. Amp
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649194389-dialogue-premium-hp-integrated-amplifier/

offer $2500 for this table-http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649352700-vpi-prime-turntable-w-3d-arm/ 

get this for a LOMC-http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649376407-kampk-audio-mocing-coil-step-up-transformer/images/1630...

spend $1k for a new cart-https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATART9.html

If you can bump your limit, this  outboard phono stage will be the game changer, offer $1400
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/phono-fosgate-signature-mm-mc-phono-stage-preamplifier-3147-2017-0...

3500 amp
2500 table
200 step up
1000cart
$7200 and you will have a GREAT set up.

Forgo the step up transformer, get the phonostage, you have a SMOKIN setup for a total of $8400.

Save $3-5k for used  REALLY NICE speakers or whatever....DONE.

Cables...appropriate what you can, good deals used. You can deal with that stuff later. Your speakers will sound amazing with this setup.

This thread confirms the PL HP's performance against an 8k ARC amp.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/considering-switching-from-audio-research-to-primaluna-troube...

I attended this shootout. I also own this amp and phonostage.

With your speakers and decent inexpensive cable, you will have a great sounding system to listen to while you're figuring where to put your money on nice speakers.

Get your credit card ready!