Upgrade path question with $2k to spend

OP,

You have to be a little careful using watts per channel. A good audio amp with high current could provide a much better drive and sound better with much less wpc. Indirectly the current is indicated by the wpc delivered into various impedance. A great amp with high current will double the watts per channel from 16 to 8 to 4 ohms. So, perhaps 100, 200, and 400Wpc. High end audio stuff will have much higher performance for the specifications, the noice floor will be much lower… which will be satisfying at a much lower value. Surround processors put out a lot of noise and require cranking up to sound good.

To cover all the facets of getting where you want to go I recommend getting a copy of Robert Harley’s book The Complete Guide to High End Audio. You have a sense of where you want to go, and getting there on a small budget is definitely possible. But it will require very carefully chosen components. I highly recommend used ones made for high end audio.

Since this on Audiogon, it should go without saying that you can get more for your money buying used, even at these semi-inflated prices. Lots of options.

I think you're right. A better TT and cart would make a huge impact. For under $2,000. I love the Marantz TT-15. It's a great table made by Clearaudio and comes with a Clearaudio Virtuoso v2 cartridge. It sells for $1,700. If you go to buy the cartridge only it's $1,200. Great deal.

@icegeek 

If you are looking for DIRAC & HT by-pass, then go with NAD or Lyngdorf 

Both have room correction built in. No need for separate MiniDsp

Don't get hung up on the ratings game that is not part of the HiFi world. You are listening for sound quality not looking at numbers on the sales brochure. If you must look at numbers look at what it weighs per amp channel after looking specs up looks like yours weighs 3 pounds a channel. The Hagel that was recommended above weights over twenty pounds per channel. Which do you think have a better power supply? Bigger transformer in in? My amp is rated lower than yours and weighs over two hundred pounds a channel. How low of ohms can your speaker go and your amp still be stable? Years ago the appogee duetta signature was one of the best speakers in the world and they changed the amplifier construction they went down to a half an ohm or less and many amps just blew up trying to drive an almost dead short. Might be an idea for you to visit some truely high end stores and listen to some demos. Go listen to a half million dollar home theater system and you will understand that numbers are just about meaningless sales brochure stuff. 

Regards