8-10k budget suggestions please

Gonna bid on the krell

My first foray into high end audio had me originally lusting after a pair of B&W, they were aesthetically a good looking product with a great pedigree...it was the house monitor at Abby Road Studios, mind you. I was able to audition several models in my home paired with a McIntosh MC300, then with a borrowed Parasound. I felt every one I listened to with intent to purchase were immediately fatiguing to listen to given their very bright, in your face(in a bad way), presentation. My first pair of high(er) end speakers ended up being a pair of PSB Stratus Gold's for less than I was willing to pay for the B&W, and I was in audio nirvana...until that itch needed another scratch.

I still believe that whatever gear you decide on, the 804's will be your weak link. There are a pair of PSB Synchrony 1's on this site that would be an excellent foundation to begin your hunt for YOUR audio nirvana.

Some room treatment would be nice.  $1500. I used GIK acoustics. 

@laaudionut 

I think you should give listen to the modern-day B&W diamond series. When auditioning, I compared 802D3 to Paradigm and Kef Reference. The B&Ws were the warmest of all. I did not find the tweeter bright at all. The Paradigms were like nails on a chalkboard! 

Also, I see you don't care too much for McIntosh. I just purchased a C2700 tube preamp and MC611s. The system is not broken in yet, but it has provided me with some of the most realistic vocals I have ever heard. The MAC integrated would provide great synergy with B&W and a pretty nice DAC (upgradable) and future phono capabilities, as the OP wishes. The icing on the cake would be HDMI (ARC) for hookup to the tv!

Daledeee1. Definitely doing room tx

jeffreyw. I have no opinion on Mac. It seems like with audiophiles it’s kind of like when you were a kid…. you were always looking for the new band that nobody knew ….and if you were the first one that found the new cool band you felt like a boss. Bands like the Beatles were good but if you were the first to find out how good Led Zeppelin was well crap you were a boss. Kinda feel like Mac is the Beatles. Does that make sense? People wanna be first to find the new special brand.
Also so many different perspectives on what you find important. I don’t even know yet. Maybe I’m so new I just want something to blow me away but in the future I will have a different opinion on what I appreciate