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

I spent several hours listening to 3.7i and 1.7 (no i) driven by separate Rouge tube gear.  I forget which models but the amp was $4,000.

They both sounded great (I brought my own test tracks - Redbook CD).

BTW, I use euphonic to just mean good SQ - including the above remarks on inner detail, etc.

I also think a good SS amp will do a fine job.  Something by John Curl maybe, unless you want to hunt down some Brystons on the used market.

Maggies like a lot of current delivery (not "Power" per se) but are an easy load to drive as they are a nearly pure resistive load - at 4 ohms.

that same resistive load means you can use just about any speaker cable w/out a change in the sound

you will want to spend many hours moving them around to the best spot; absorption & diffusion can help too (and yes I am one of the people harping on that - it is much more important than the commonly discussed tweeks, cables, little boxes full of fiber, etc.)

for the record, I use a tube pre- (Audio Research LS25 Mk II, and formerly a Sonic Frontiers Line One) with a Bob Carver Sunfire amp.  I may swap to a Benchmark or a newer Class D design, but am headed for a new DAC first.

@jazztherapist Lot of great suggestions here, but as I think more about your situation it strikes me that you're kind of flying blind (listening blind?) on this project. You say that you'd like to move up to a better/more resolving system, but it's also pretty clear that you haven't heard many good systems lately. Brick and mortar is not the way to check out a lot of high end options.

Consider attending an audio convention so that you can actually hear some of what's actually available these days at various prices.  Attending AXPONA or RMAF is a fairly low cost way of educating yourself --- certainly it is cheaper than buying an expensive component or two, only to find out that they're not really what you wanted.

Good luck! 

Goheelz, I can’t think of a more efficient method to hear multiple audio products and developing a feel for what is available and some idea of how they sound. I've attended AXPONA, RMAF and multiple CES and these experiences were very worthwhile. 

Show conditions can had some shortcomings but I am unaware of a more viable way to gain exposure to a wide array of equipment. Some rooms will have exceptional set ups and sound very impressive. Broad exposure to what’s out there is advantageous.
Charles

The Bay area is one of the best places to be able to actually listen to potential purchases, and if you're willing to drive up to Portland, you can expand that experience. I love jazz with the right headphones, with the right speakers, with the right amp, but once one thing isn't doing it, I do not love jazz. I'm a digital source guy mostly and can't comment on your source, but I'd spend some time with speakers, and if a shop agrees - make an appointment and bring your own amp in! 

It might even be worthwhile to, wherever appropriate, make a post about your intentions and see if locals would be willing to invite you over to share their systems. We all know we'd love to have someone care about the little details. 

Thanks, willsw. I'm still a somewhat new transplant from Chicago and I have no idea how to go about finding audiophile and jazz kin. I'd love to find some folks willing to show off their gear. I'd be happy to bring some vinyl.