Where do I go from here?

Wow, thank you, each of you for the thoughtful suggestions and the encouragement. This forum is pretty cool.

@audiotroy I’m just not ready to consider a change from my preamp and feel like DAC technology advancements argue for a separate DAC for easier upgrades. I definitely know the A6 is a short term piece. And I’ll definitely upgrade the power conditioner.

@gkelly you’re right that the digital sourcing should take my attention before I pivot to vinyl. I have an AudioTechnica I can use until then anyway.

@grislybutter thanks, interesting database!

@2psyop yeah, I realize the Heresy pair is shabby chic and I need an upgrade. I’ll eventually move them to another room with my Marantz 19 and Denon DR-M30HX tape deck (and BlueSound Node). I’ll definitely take some time to do some listening to speakers before making the move.

@ghdprentice seriously, thanks for the encouragement and perspective. Great analogies too. ftr, I drive a Polestar2 and may step up to the Lucid next year. Wife drives an X5. But as you and others suggest, I need to really give my ears and spirit the time and experience of those different sound characteristics.

@kerrybh you echo ghdprentice, thanks. And yeah, I am going to take some time, and focus on the space. Appreciate learning from your experience.

@roadcykler thank you, that’s pretty much it. I have some nice vinyl, but I know I’ll listen more with an automatic. Per others’ advice, this won’t be a near term priority, but when I get a new TT, I am likely to go with that Dual CS 529, or perhaps something else if out there then.

@superblueapm and @hilde45 yep, you’re right. It’s time to work on the room, get it as good as I can and then pivot back. Gotta get rid of that ketchup!

@zlone thank you for mentioning AXPONA. It’s in Schaumberg this April and I intend to go! (I live in Chicago and have a second home in the Detroit suburbs where this listening room is.)

@larryi thanks. Yeah, I am doing a fair bit of reading and watching videos on treating rooms. I do have some positioning restrictions, but think I can work through them. I like the idea of "real life" treatments before "studio" treatments, so the room feels inviting. You and another mentioned Volti, so I’ll put them on the list for a listen somewhere.

@knotscott right, definitely a reinforced message here - when I do turn to speakers I need to take my time. I am looking at used equipment as much as new.

@fred60 I’ll have the opportunity to listen to the Heresy IVs at Abt here in the Chicago area, as well as the B&W 7 series I mentioned. And, yeah, the A6 is definitely just a placeholder device - but it’s a fun piece, I must say!

Again, thanks to all! I will come back to this post as things progress.

@mattsca 

A few months ago I set out on a similar quest. I even had similar equipment!  Because I had 601 s3s for 20 years, I really liked the idea of a used set of 805s. It was like I had B&W blinders on.  B&Ws are great, but it seems to be a truism that you might get a better speaker for your money if you throw your net wider.  

One reason you might consider speakers first hasn’t been mentioned. Different speakers do better with different choices of amps and preamps. I upgraded my amp first and could have saved myself some hassle if I chose my speakers first. 

I am stubborn as h€|| but once I threw off the blinders I ended up with used Vandersteen Quatros from a dealer I could trust.  If you decide you are curious about Vandersteen, I have found their owner forum extremely helpful. Richard Vandersteen is also available to give advice which was a nice surprise.

The choice of Vandersteens informed my other system choices considerably, and I ended up with an Ayre amp and preamps - KX-R pre and VX-5 Twenty amp. Used Ayre equipment was reachable for my budget and Ayre, like Vandersteen, is super customer service oriented.  Ayre takes in your equipment and will check everything and/or customize for a modest fee. I won’t pretend my path is for everyone, but it’s an example of how your path can change once you start considering other speakers.

I notice you are from suburban Detroit. So am I and I am going through a similar journey. Currently have a McIntosh MA 352, Innuos Zenith Mark 3 Streamer, Denafrips DAC, UTurn turntable and both Revival and old Nautilus 804 speakers.  You might already know but we have several brick and mortar audio stores in the area that carry much of the equipment you are thinking about. I have no interest in any of them but I have bought gear from Sound Advantage in Rochester and David Michael Audio in Royal Oak. The Rochester store carries the full McIntosh and B&W lines. The Royal Oak store carries Luxman, Esoteric, Nagra, etc. I have gone to both to do nothing more than listen to and compare gear. They are very accommodating. There are not many places to do that these days but you have two nearby. There also is a nice audio store in Ann Arbor. Hear before you buy.  Good luck. 

I notice you are from suburban Detroit. So am I and I am going through a similar journey. Currently have a McIntosh MA 352, Innuos Zenith Mark 3 Streamer, Denafrips DAC, UTurn turntable and both Revival and old Nautilus 804 speakers.  You might already know but we have several brick and mortar audio stores in the area that carry much of the equipment you are thinking about. I have no interest in any of them but I have bought gear from Sound Advantage in Rochester and David Michael Audio in Royal Oak. The Rochester store carries the full McIntosh and B&W lines. The Royal Oak store carries Luxman, Esoteric, Nagra, etc. I have gone to both to do nothing more than listen to and compare gear. They are very accommodating. There are not many places to do that these days but you have two nearby. There also is a nice audio store in Ann Arbor. Hear before you buy.  Good luck. 

Move to Des Moines.

DeKay