From Audio Note AN/J-D to where?

Thank you for your responses. 

My budget is flexible. My intent is to find speakers that give me an emotional experience. If the speakers are 18.000$, so be it. 

Schetl speakers are 25000 EU and I have seriously been considering them, but Schetl recommend rooms from 30 to 100 square meters and they require some space from the wall, which doesn't make sense to my listening room as it is now.

Rather than jumping ship, why not stick with AudioNote for the favorable reasons you mentioned in your post. My local 56-year-in-business audio dealer demos all models of the AudioNote speakers and amplifiers, sources, etc. He also offers electrostatic speakers along with lots of trade-in units to compare to. All fun to listen to yes. Better?, hard to say, maybe not.

The all AudioNote matched systems, speakers, amps, sources, are some of the most enjoyable and engaging to listen to every time I go in there. If you are more into musicality and engaging sound, there is more to be realized imo. Jumping ship just to try different technology, while this can be fun - it’s a bunch of different rabbit holes to explore. Geez, it takes a ton of time to get it right, or never get there. A well designed (matched) system can be end-game for many. I see a lot of very nice trade-ins at this dealer, and what their next AN end-game system looks like.

How much have you listened and experimented with AudioNote amplifiers to pair up with your AN speakers? Have you jumped up the line with true AN amps and sources? I’m not referring to the AN-kits. I’m asking about the AN amps made at AudioNote with the most choice parts used. Go to one of the audio shows if you can. Lots of fancy rooms, and often times a simple AudioNote room down at one end somewhere at the show.   Sit, listen, and decide for yourself how it sounds for you. Ignore the hype at these shows, and compare to all of the other fancy and overly-technical gadget rooms. What's more "musically engaging" to you?. 

Stepping up on the AN amps with your current AN speakers is another chapter or two yet to go - if you’ve not tried this yet. Trying this first, and then jumping up the line in AN speakers might be something else to try before jumping ship to another batch of mixed technologies that may not work as well together. How much do you enjoy exploring new technology -vs- simply buying and listening and enjoying "music" with a well integrated system is what I’m getting at. Best of Luck on your decision.

Thank you for some intelligent reflections Decooney. 

I was quite impressed with Oto Phono SE Signature which I find as an attractive and affordable amplifier. I also like Audio Note products but for me it seems that after level 3, the prices reaches astronomical heights. I'm very well aware that the costs of running a production line of that size, using high quality components (silver) and constantly developing and researching new ideas, but it appears that a lot of smaller producers, Yamamoto Sound Craft, are building exceptional amplifiers that are more budget-friendly. Even though they are different brands I would suggest that they have a similar approach to audio reproduction.

I would also suggest that a single-ended amplifier from Yamamoto using VT-52 with point-to-point wiring, no negative feedback and an approach to the most simple and circuit would cost a lot more if it had Audio Notes logo on it. The same goes with speakers. 

I'm not sure if it's reasonable to compare these two brands, so I would rather claim that they have produce have high quality amplifiers. 

In terms of speakers I'm quite confident with the AN-E/SPe HE. It is an easy and quite safe choice, but before deciding I'm trying to see if there are options that I oversee: open baffle systems, field coil (I've heard one should consider this carefully since it's a complex system), horn speakers etc. 

There are many who think that AN is the end-game, and the best one can do is change components within that line.

There’s another possibility -- you’re bored and want to experience variety.

I’ve noticed that there are different "schools" of thought in high-fidelity audio....I find inspiration in Japanese audiophiles and their horn-loaded systems powered by tube amplifiers, as well as in open baffle systems, field coil drivers, and AlNiCo-based designs.... I also like Audio Note products but for me it seems that after level 3, the prices reaches astronomical heights.

There are many paths to great sound. Those paths are different. The question you have to answer is,

"Do I want something with the same character & somewhat better OR Do I want a new experience?"

A lot of people on this forum talk about "end-game" gear. I don't like that concept. It's too convergent, too conservative.

My appreciation of audio is the same kind I have with painting, music, and theater:  I don’t just want "better," I also want "different."

apollinaire I will say this stepping up from the AN-J/D to say an AN-J/lx, my current speakers, would render a significant improvement as I am pretty sure the D series doesn't use Birch ply cabinets but standard particle board. To me it's those lively sounding bitch cabinets that add a lot to the speakers quickness and overall live sound. So yes the AN-E/Spe would be quite the significant upgrade for you.

As far as electronics go sure AN gear can be pricey but so are a lot of other brands. Integrateds like the Oto and Soro sound so good they really are enough for many users. That said I've not used AN amps to drive my speakers, currently using a pair of Wright Sound Co 2a3 monoblocks which are excellent in my small room.

One thing sensitivity does is offer you a ton of flexibility in choosing an amplifier. The only other of the speakers you mention that I've heard would be Shindo the big field coils are amazing but very $$ and require a fairly large room. Good luck in your search and have fun with it!