Help with Yamaha 801 pairing

Thanks Simao and kota1

I plan to just that .. appreciate any help to narrow the choices

Given your listening preferences and budget, I would go for the Zu Audio Dirty Weekend floor standers.  I have had a pair in use in my main system for the last 4 years (tube amp; ss preamp, TT's & CDs).  I also have the Zu Omen Monitor in a second system.  Very energetic and realistic sounding.

You may want to spend some of that 2500 budget on a good phono stage. Post a question on the analog forum here and see what people say. 

i've owned the 801 and still have the polk model 10--the 801 is a good sounding amp but tends towards sounding a little bright, so you might pair it with something a little warmer--in your price range maybe focal aria, wharfedale or kef

I've had the 801 for a while now - its in a secondary system now.  6 moons gave it a very good review a number of years ago - and the sound it produces at it's price is really good, IMO.

But I found that despite it's power specs, the SQ of the 801 diminishes quite a bit if using harder-to-drive speakers.  The sound will get flatter, with minimal dynamics.  As such, I'd recommend more efficient speakers with the 801.

Consider speakers like the NSMT 50/Jamaica ($2995), or a Zu speaker in your price range.