Got the upgrade bug

No gear recs from me. I wouldn't attempt to spend the 6K for you. What I like, you probably wouldn't. Especially since we have two different rooms. I will make the following comments though...

I think a 3K amp driving a 2K pair of speakers is pretty unbalanced system. If it was me, I would do it the other way around.

Also, I would design a system in this order - Speakers, Amp, Source, DAC, Cabling. So far, we know your taste in music, you want to hear every instrument and you do like B&W. So, start listening to other B&W models and other brands that are designed like B&W to zero in on the speaker that sounds best to you. Then find an amp that will properly drive those speakers. This may answer your tube or SS question. Finally select your source and your DAC. Come to us with a short list of actual models so owners of those models can give you meaningful opinions.

Its a journey, treat as such and most importantly enjoy it. You will be on your way to a system that is best for you and not us.

But if you really want to know how I would spend your 6K...

I was pretty much in your shoes 8 years ago: had CM4, Rotel amp, preamp, CD player. Started itching about upgrades and reading the wonderful comments about vinyl and thought I should go that route. Some experienced forum members suggested not to go that route unless I already had a lot of vinyl, which I didn't. In hindsight, was great advice at least for me.

Of course, the itch remained. Pretty much like Paraneer suggested, I upgraded first the speakers to B&W 804S, then amp to McIntosh MC275, then pre to Lamm LL2, then got a Squeezeebox Touch, then a Metrum Octave DAC, then realized I wasn't listening tot the CD player anymore and sold it, then bought an Audiophilleo USB to SPDIF converter, and now just built my first audio server with a lot of optimizations in it (to replace an ancient laptop used as server). Also ancilliary stuff (subs, room treatments, power, etc). This makes sense, and I loved the journey.

However, throughout the journey I learnt a lot. I now know more aabout audio, but I also know what I like and what to listen for. And if I had to do it all over again now I would buy different speakers. Don't get me wrong: I like my speakers, but I think others would match my tastes better.

So my first question for you to think about would be: why vinyl? Sound can be great, but setting it up is not simple. And if you don't own much music in that format, does it make sense to you?

Digital today can achieve very high levels. The highest levels are tweaky too, just like vinyl, but very good digital can be had for relatively less money and not as tweaky. Digital is evolving fast, so I wouldn't spend too much on a DAC at this point. But I suggest you experiment with a computer as source. Go cheap for starters and learn if you like the convenience of accessing music you want to buy, accessing music you already own from an iPad/android device, etc.

Your new room is rather small, so be careful not to get too large a speaker for it. Maybe it's best to move your existing speakers and understand how the room sounds. If it were me, I would spend a lot more on speakers and drive them with a smaller (cheaper) yet very good amp. Also be aware that when you upgrade your speakers, likely to more resolving ones, they will let you hear defficiencies upstream. Not necessarily a good thing! This happened to me: With the 804S the Rotel amp/pre sounded bright/shrill, and eventually upgraded the amp. I suggest you don't rush to an upgrade and spend a fair amount of time listening to speakers and amps before you buy, and learning about your room, placement within the room.

Sorry for the rambling! Hope this helps.

Really good advice fellas. Didnt even think about what the system would sound like in the office. I understand the reasoning behind prioritizing investment costs. Speakers, Amp, Dac, Table, etc.

Will give the set up a go in the new enviroment then report back on thoughts, seeking advice.

With that said, what is the forum's thoughts on used speakers? How can you tell that the product is in good working order? Without getting burned. And how old is too old? Found a nice pair of Naut 805's for 2k. 10 years old though?

Regarding the question on Vinyl, I think that there is something to be said about listening to an album from start to finish. yes, digital is more convenient, but also believe my generation doesnt appreciate the story behind the cover. Album name, songs, etc.

We tend to have too much access to too much info under our fingers, which at least for me yields unthoughtful exploration of the names of songs and albums. So, if I buy Vinyl, it might force me to learn more about the artist and or song due to the physical presence. Actually LISTEN to the albumn from start to finish, even if the song isnt my favorite. makes ya just slow down and live. Or if I hear a song I love, pull out the cover and see its song 3 and title X. Maybe its stupid. Not trying to turn this into a blog, just might intial thoughts on why Vinyl.

Also, thinking about creating a "record club" with my fellow music buddies. Everyone brings over a 6 pack and a few of there favorite LP's. We listen to a song and talk about the album.

Lastly on Vinyl, many of the shows I am attending actually sell LP's next to the T Shirts. Wouldnt mind starting to buy them everytime I go to show. Example, saw Andrew Bird in Chicago in a Presby Church. Tift Merrit played along with him. I bought my daughter a t shirt, looked at the LP's and thought, wish I had a record player. At the least, the LP would be a physical document of a good memory. Dont have that with digital media.

I dont expect to go out and buy a ton of LP's, but do feel I would listen from time to time. Plus you can grab some good deals on craigslist. So, perhaps its just a phase I am going through or maybe the next step of my hobby that might actually be a durable interest. Either way it would just be an addition to a system, so might drop the investment to a lower value or priority. My digital will still be king.

$2k for Nautilus 805 seems high. $2k for 805S would be more reasonable, I think. But do yourself a favor and audition more brands. People swearing by their Reference 3a De Capos, for instance. Never heard them, but would try to if I could, and in your price range.

Don't rush to calm your itch. Enjoy the learning phase.

what is the forum's thoughts on used speakers? How can you tell that the product is in good working order? Without getting burned. And how old is too old?

To me, speakers are the toughest of all our gear to purchase used, especially as you move up to larger floorstanders. The shipping (assuming you are not able to pick them up in person) can be difficult and the packaging is not as reliable as for our other gear. I trust most packaging for even 100 lb amplifiers more than I would trust most speaker packaging. Larger speakers should be strapped to a pallet and shipped freight. I would be very careful by only purchasing used speakers from reputable sellers, like maybe dealer demos with warranty, or at least dealer trade-ins. Consider buying from long-time audiogon members with positive feedback. If I were a seller with expensive floorstanders, I would sell for less to a buyer who was willing to pick them up in person.

I also like what Lewinskih01 said above, enjoy what you have and listen to other brands. I had a pair of Matrix 803 SIIs that I really liked but I have found Aerial speakers to provide a natural sound that is different from B&W, just as good, and more enjoyable to me. Buy a reputable brand that is going to be around if you need repair, like B&W. The 3A suggestion was good. There are speakers that mate better with lowish powered tube amps, if you are heading toward tubed gear. Coincident my be another speaker brand to audition since they perform very well with tube amplifiers of low to moderate power. The type of amplification needed should be a major consideration in the speakers you purchase. Don't buy speakers that work best with high current SS amps (like my Aerials) if your preferred amplification going forward is tubed.
Good luck and have fun.