Keep McIntosh C2500 pre-amp or upgrade to C12000?

I just remembered your turntable discussion, what did you end up doing?

Are you still using the Sonus Faber Sonetto III speakers? They (and their ported design in your space) are making the most significant contribution to your system's sound characteristic. I would not expect any significant change in sound changing those preamp models.

You have very powerful 450 wpc solid state amp for those speakers 88 spl efficiency, and they have both a rear port and a downward reflected port at their base.

I would consider changing the speakers before changing the Preamp, you have 'tube sound' preamp already, I would make a plan for eventually tube amp which means more efficient speakers, and I encourage larger driver(s) no ports.

i will look into those, soix, thanks for the recommendation!

Yes, Elliott, still running all the original gear. The tube sound is what i was concerned making an upgrade but gaining no value in the sound. I am not dissatisfied at all just want to do make any upgrades worth the money spent. Thanks!

oh, on the turntable i went with a Pro-Ject Extension 9. Happy with it so far, but.....

You gotta get rid of the  ... but ..... I suspect you need nothing except time to enjoy what you have.

Try changing your tubes to a different brand/NOS first. I don't think your going to see that big of a difference moving to the 12000 from the 2500, better DAC of course. and the option for SS or Tube stages if that's something you like. I did a comparison from the 2700 and 12000 and the difference did not justify the price difference to me, tube stage comparison only. 

Tubes made a good difference with my 2700 when I was tube rolling. definitely able to tailor the sound more with different tubes.