A rookie with 10K, seeking advise

I will spend money wisely by adding a subwoofer to your system to begin with.  I had Linton that, as you know, the low end goes down to 40 Hz.  When I pair the nimble bass from Linton with a fast subwoofer (down to 24 Hz), it really enlightens my ears and the overall listening experience with a variety of genres of music.  In addition to taking advises from this forum, look for useful information from reliable reviewers.  REL has a good 60 days free trials / return policy and that might be a good place to start. 

I'd hate to be a newbie looking for advice on this forum.  Lots of crap in this thread.  

For the OP listening preferences, a tube amp would be great.  But his speakers are not sensitive enough to take full advantage. 

Good full size speakers with great midrange would be your best bet--Tekton is a controversial brand, bashed by those who have never heard it, but they are very linear with great midrange and pair well with tube amps.  Awesome for classical music, jazz, and vocals.  Just don't post here that you bought them.

For a tube amp I highly recommend Decware.  There is a 2 yr wait but they pop up on the used market about twice a month and sell immediately.  I've been alert and bought 2 in the past 6 months.  

You can get the speakers and amp for under $10k.  You won't need a preamp.

On the other end of the spectrum is electrostats, also excellent with your music choices but a power hog.  I have a pair of CLSs and a Kinki Studios integraged amp which is an undiscovered gem.  You'll need a sub with CLSs.  There are a lot of used MLs on the market. Try hard to listen to them before you buy them and do your research.

Jerry

Go have a listen to the KEF LS60 (Baby Blades) and see if the sound and the utter simplicity of the system appeals to you.

You only need to plug the 2 speakers into the wall outlet and connect any analog sources you have (if any) to the preamp in the speaker. This is KEF product and not a one person shop so you are getting some top end gear made to spec.

Placement options are the most flexible since it has built-in DSP.  You can put them against a wall if required.

I have a poor man's version of this with the passive KEF LS50 Meta and KEF KC62 sub. It sounds excellent. The LS60 should be better than what I have.

A local Best Buy with Magnoloia should have these speaker available to listen.

@charles1dad  Thanks!

llid2, lot's if different recommendations here, here's another for $10K

Keep the Denafrips DAC, it's not a limiting factor for you. Bluesound Node latest model 130 I think)  is a good streamer as long as bypass the internal DAC and go to the Terminator. You didn't mention CD transport or I missed it, but AudioLab 6000CDT $600 to the Terminator would be great.

Cables do not have to be crazy, maybe 10% to 15% of total cost. Power upgrade (dedicated line ($200/300?), high quality plug (Oyaide, PS Audio Power Port, etc $100) good power cable $200 will deliver nice dividends  

Speakers and amplifier should be your priority, but I definitely recommend demo time with them.....and take your time, nothing worse than rushing and having to take a loss on something you don't love.