Best set-up under $20K

Borresen X-3....best 11K speaker on the market. Mates well with Hegel.

I concur on the NS5000. I choose it over Vivid, Magico, and KEF Blade. Though the Blade would have made me equally happy.

I use a CODA #16 ($9k used) but did consider the Schitt TYR and Benchmark AHB2 for them. The monos were under consideration to use my great (but very short) FrontRow speaker cables. The CODA #16 is amazing with the NS5000 with WyWire Diamond speaker cables.

One way to save some cash maybe is to use the new Schitt Moljiner 3 preamp. The M3 is a great Class A preamp and cost $1200. I now have 3 great preamps, the Benchmark LA4, Holo Serene, and the M3. All 3 are also in the affordable side of things.

The M3 is much better than the Freya+ (sold).

A used Magtech amp from Sanders Sound Systems ($4k) is another of my very high recommendations. I use it with the Magnepan LRS+ and it is stunning. I have not tried it with the NS5000 but should very good. Maybe not as Class A sweet as the CODA #16. The only amp that was as good on the LRS+ was the CODA #16.

@vthokie83 “…My first recommendation would be getting rid of Airplay streaming…”

+1

Absolutely. Airplay is simply a terrible transmission medium.

A real component streamer will be required before starting to upgrade something else. I don’t recommend a streamer bundled with something else.

I agree with upgrading the streaming end of things.  One thing to put out there--I recently purchased a Bluesound Node X and have been extremely happy with it in my heritage McIntosh system (2125 amp, C28 pre amp, Mc XR 5 speakers).  It is a more resolving DAC than the last generation Node.  See a couple of Steve Huff reviews on the node X.  A final thought would be that after carrying this Mac system to different homes over 40 years, is how crucial is the room itself and speaker placement. The sound is far superior in my current room with my older Mac speakers pulled out from the wall, than/ earlier smaller rooms with speakers in the corners.  I prefer the sound in my current room/system to much higher end speakers (Wilson Sabrina, Sonus Faber Nova III)  in the dealer showrooms.   Have fun....