Warm romantic & detailed

There must be some aspect of the 1038's that you liked enough to buy them. So, have you thought about auditioning the Kanta # 2's? I've seen some used ones lately in the $6K range.

When I was speaker shopping a few years ago I auditioned the 1038's and the Kanta # 2's (I didn't buy either one of them); and, I could not believe how much better the Kanta was. Just a thought, YMMV. Good luck in your search!

@donquichotte 

@ jjss491 : wow! You have 9 pairs of speakers, 8 of which are interesting to me! Could you please share what models of Spendor, Harbeth and Proac do you own? I own a pair of Spendor Sp2/3R2, some Harbeth M30.2 Anniversary and I'm considering some Proacs so I'd really love to take advantage of your considerable experience in form of some advises and comparisons. Would you agree to help me here a bit, please? Thanks!
@everybody else, especially OP: please let me know if you feel this would derail the thread too much so I can move this discussion to PM environment should this be the case.

in deference to the op and his asking for input on his pursuit, i suggest you and i take this off line - just pm me

Quote OP    "Warm, romantic, yet detailed"

These are of course just words and mean different things to different people.  But I think the combination may be unattainable and suggest a tighter focus on the sound OP really wants.

Any decision is likely to be a wrong step unless a good number of speakers are auditioned in OP's room with OP's system and OP's chosen music - I agree with Duckworp on the latter.  Few speakers.excel on all kinds of music; and those few are six-digit expensive.

Tough to arrange, but the only way.

Again I will recommend the Aerial 7T’s. Stereophile A rated speakers. Not many in this price range are. These may be harder to find but worth it. Google the speakers and you will find the Stereophile review. In my view these would check all your boxes.

Try some PSB Speakers

Just added some PSB 800"s to my rotation.
Wow! Hours upon hours of warm luscious spacious detailed enough sound!
I cant wait now to get in front of my system.