Got the upgrade bug


I am a novice audiophile and looking to take the next step in this hobby, which I understand can be a slippery slope.

Bought my 1st system year ago. Pair of B&W CM-1's + ASW 300 + Rotel-1520 + Peachtree DAC-it. Basically a rotel/b&w starter kit. I run sonos most of time but thinking of getting into vinyl.

1st upgrade was a power supply for the dac-it, which made a huge difference. Welborn Labs I believe. Worth the money. Then the folks that sold me the unit last year suggested that I purchase a new power cable for the amp, wow...made the background completely black. I get it now. And want to do something else now.

Two reasons for upgrade, I thought I would move my listening situation from our den/family room to my upstairs office. My wife prefers "background music". I prefer Dylan and Coltrane, and want to hear every instrument, and at a pleasurable level to my ear.

So, I'm gonna move the system upstairs, which is getting me thinking about an upgrade. Or a reason for an upgrade. Just like when my kid spills his paint set on our carpet all of a sudden my wife thinks we need new hardwoods in the playroom.

Anyways, I've got $6 to play with, including trade up value of above components.

Would like a tube component, maybe an integrated. Or a tube pre and solid state comb or solid pre tube amp. But with phono stage for table. I have Listened to some mcintosh and audio research tube set ups, love that "tube" sound. Warm...out of my price range though.

Definitely a full range pair of speakers. 2 channel set up. System is for music only. Love B&W's, so maybe a set of CM-8's. But open to other brands.

DAC separate standalone. Keep my ASW. Add a table, entry level rega or like alternative. VPI seems to have a good brand/company, so if I can get some extra $$ together, that will be the splurge.

Or should I keep my CM-1 book shelf setup and just upgrade DAC and amp, then add table? Room is about 250 sq ft. I listen to lots of folk, jazz, classic rock, jam bands,contemporary blue grass, Musical pieces.

Assuming New Prices:

Thinking 3k for an integrated
1k for a DAC
2K for speakers
1k for table (stretch)

Thanks for advice and suggestions on my new system. Any opinion is appreciated. So many options out there and not many local shops to kick tires.

Side note/different topic, what is the opinion of the forum on used gear? Specifically speakers? How old is ok. And how do you tell if the speakers are working in factory specs?

kernalsanders
$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.
Not sure if you are interested or where you live, but I'm selling off a great Quicksilver full function integrated and Silver Mono's that give up high current 90 tube watts. Im also selling off a floor standing Proac Super Towers that completely disappear and are a perfect match with the Quickies. I will sell the MIT cabling for it. The speaker cables are the top of the line MIT MH 770 CVT's not the lower line MH750. I also have the MIT Shotgun CVT cables to hook between the amps. Not many bad things said about any of these components and they seem to be in your range and are in great shape. Just let me know if interested. I went with Proacs over BMW as I liked how they disappeared and threw a huge soundstage. With the MIT and Quickies they also make piano sound like piano,which is tough to do. Great luck with whatever you do as it's all fun.
Pretty cool system you have - my 2 cents - I focus on speakers and adequate power. Most of my budget goes to the speakers and I always like to have lots of power on tap. That's kind of it, I don't go nuts on DACs and cables.

Vinyl is great - lots of fun...
Match the speakers to the space and your taste in music first. The CM1s are nice, but I really love Harbeths. You could start with the P3 ESR which will look too small, but they're not, and then later upgrade to the Compact 7s, which are awesome. Mate the P3s with a Primaluna Prologue integrated perhaps? Vinyl. Hmmm. I like vinyl too for the reasons you enumerate, but $1000 digital will arguably sound better than $1000 on vinyl rig. $1000 will get you a nice Rega deck with cartridge and entry phono preamp. But the Rega DAC is damn good too--there's one listed for $600 on Gon now. Just some random thoughts, but find the speakers you love first is great advice.