Great soundstaging speakers = 2k

Perhaps the best reviewed new speaker this year has been the Alon Lotus Elite series. There are three models. The least expensive is the just-released Esprit. The Lotus is a wonderfully musical speaker, but the forte' is incredibly dense, palpable, free-standing soundstaging. The secret is the dipole mid and tweet, along with impeccable driver integration. The Elite series is derived from the $125,000 Grand Exotica, HP's current reference. I suggest checking the website, alonbyacarian.com. Read the reviews and contact Carl for a dealer and info.

Cacophonix,

I own a Plinius 8150. After auditioning speakers for over 1 year (over 20 different speakers), I've settled on the Revel M20. The result was simply on a different league of everything else (this included Dynaudio 1.3 and 1.8, Red Rose R3, Reference 3A Royal Master, Sonus Faber Signum, Elac 512, Thiel 1.5 and many more to name)

The matching with the Plinius is made in heaven. As for the cables, I use the (no longer available) Yamamura Millenium 6000 (speaker and IC). These are amazing cables and give lots of air and bloom ... I know the QED and they are honest cables, but are not able to deliver the huge soundstage and the effortless, non-mechanical presentation you are looking for.

Regarding the CDP, I can't comment, but I use a Meridian 508.24 with great results.

The M20 are among the most extraordinary audio components I know. They have ultimate accuracy, astonishing tonal balance, huge and precise soundstage, plenty of fine detail but without sounding harsh or cold ... but they are extremely revealing of anything that may be less than ok on your front-end, so audition is a must.

Good luck,

Vermeer

Vandersteen 2CE Sigs

Gallo Nucleus Reference. They are available for around 2K

Cacophonix, Give a listen to Martin Logans as these speakers can do all the things you wish!
Happy Listening!