Thank you all so much for taking the time to share your opinions and experiences! I do not post often, but have tried to learn much for the community here in the relatively short amount of time I've enjoyed this hobby.
@soix-Yes! You said it well-thank you. I guess it's a bit hard for me to put into words what I am hoping to hear. At my local shop, Music for Pleasure, here in St. Louis the Dynaudio Confidence 20s sounds "magical." They were using high priced Simaudio gear that I can not afford. So trying to reclaim as much of that emotional experience with gear I can afford. Thank you for the recommendations!
@erik_squires-Thank you for the encouragement. Actually many of your posts helped me land eventually on the L-509X. It's been a journey, and I've enjoyed learning along the way. If I can get to a point that I can purchase Ayre I'd love to try it. Everything I've learned about their approach to sound lines up with what seems best from an engineering perspective IMO.
@mickeyb-Thank you for the encouragement to consider Simaudio. I have been concerned maybe Simaudio is a brand that dealers sell because of a large markup rather than it actually being great gear. Their prices just seem high to me compared to other brands. Glad to learn you feel it is a positive match outside of a dealership.
@ghdprentice-Thank you for this input about Pass Labs, this lines up with what other have shared with me.
Interesting no one has commented about he PS Audio BHK stereo 250. On paper this appears to have many positive attributes. I've only owned a couple of PS Audio items so far, a power conditioner and the Stellar Phono Preamp. I did not keep the phono preamp. It was fine, but I'd describe it as neutral, and maybe slightly bland compared to the Hegel V10 or Manley Labs Chinook. Are their amps kind of the same? Fine, but not great? Just wondering...