Advice on Integrated Receiver

@bound4h 

yes that’s the one I mentioned a few posts up. Absolutely worth it! It was a 6k unit a few years ago. Lots of power and sounds great. Very smooth and dynamic. It’s been for sale for a while I can’t believe it’s not snatched up at that price. 

Ok solve two problems at once - your integrated and your Schiity phono stage:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649883010-luxman-l-509x-integrated-amplifier/

Fair price for this should be around $5k - $5500 all in, tops. Given the few small nicks that live on the side of this integrated. Also comes with a phono stage that will send the Schiit to the garbage 🗑️ 

And btw I do not hate the schiit mani. I had it. Know exactly what it is and what it’s worth.

Ok guys, I want to first say THANK YOU for being so welcoming with your comments and suggestions. First time in the forums. There are a thousand opinions and some of them conflict, but the beauty of hifi audio is that audio is usually more subjective than objective and I appreciate your input so much. I’ve asked a couple questions on other hifi forums and you guys are by far the loudest and most thorough. Thank you!

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to me (bday is Dec 28th) and I’ve decided I’m going to do a serious upgrade on my speakers. Yes, I know if I go high on the speaker choice my amp may also need an upgrade and I’m ok with that.

Recap on my current setup:

Loudspeakers: Monitor Audio Silver 300s (90db sens) mfg recommended 80-200w

Subwoofer: I do have a subwoofer, REL t5i, but could disconnect if the new LS had enough low end and the power amp was only 2ch

Integrated Amp: Cambridge Audio CAX81 80watt/ch

Phono Preamp: Schiit Mani [insert schiit joke here]

Source: Rega Planar 6 (2021 ver). I am using an Ania Pro MC cartridge if that matters. No other source except occasional Bluetooth pandora

Room: 16’ x 24’ (x 9’ ceiling). Carpet

Music Type: Soft Rock, Classic Rock, Alternative. No Jazz, strong percussion etc

Sound preference: warm, separated vocals from mids

Preamp/Amp considerations: I have the CA CAX81 as mentioned and will consider a stronger power amplifier and just use the preamp outputs of the CAX81. Lots of choices here right? I am eyeing the MF A1008 for $1,000 used. Heard many say BUY IT and some say be careful it’s a 2007 used amp.  Someone said Krell vintage amp, what model?  Also Rotel.  Open to others.

Phono Preamp: I have the Schiit Mani phono preamp ($149) and it’s something I’ve heard some recommendations of upgrading and I’m fine replacing that. Give me suggestions.

Loudspeakers:  Here's where I want to start.  I heard the B&W Nautilus in a local listening room last year and was blown away. I realize these are ridiculous and I’m not expecting this exact sound. However, I am looking at the B&W 800 series and my budget is going to be $8,000-9,000. I’m open to buying used and notice ALOT on Audiogon but have no idea where to start. 801N, 802D, 804D3, etc?

Open to thoughts on moving forward and will post back when I upgrade. Thank you for everything thus far!

B&W 800 series will be very nice - D2 or D3.  
They sound engaging and will draw you in. 804 or 803 for that size room most likely is all you need. However, they like power and require careful matching when it comes to the upstream components. Can’t have anything upstream that’s on the brighter side and or that emphasizes the presence region. When I had the N803s I had them paired with Pass Labs X250.5 and Audio Research tube preamp.
I think you’re pretty much looking at an overhaul.

If you want to go the integrated route, Pass Int-250 (would be my first choice) or Hegel H390, Hegel H590 or the Luxman 509 (slightly underpowered for the B&Ws IMO).

As for the phono stage, I like Sutherland for sound and flexibility. Even the bottom of the line KC Vibe MkIi is excellent.

Just my $0.05 of course, you will get other suggestions so start compiling the info.