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
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.
I agree that you definately should try your exisiting gear in your new listening area. And keep in mind that if you're are satisfied with the sound as it is, you might end up chasing the same sound you started with, but with a lot less money in your pocket in the end. But if you continue and do it wisely, you might score gold.

If you really like your speakers and the sound from them, keep them. If you want to try something else, compare with your current speakers in your own room. If you feel like it, buy used (I have no problem buying used speakers, in fact I prefer it as I don't have to worry about scratches on new wood veneer by the cats) and compare with your current speakers, keep the ones you like most. Or of course, borrow from any hifi store.

I have owned one McIntosh tube amp, the big integrated MA2275, a wonderful amp, but lacked a bit of bass control, like many tube amps tend to do. The sound is generally very nice, smooth and easy to listen to. I've heard the MC275 and the sound is similar, nice piece of gear. Personally I would prefer Audio Resarch as you can choose more freely when it comes to speakers, the bass is better I think. I haven't heard their smallest integrated amps but I'm pretty sure they sound great, look for the ARC VSi55 or VSi60, you should easily be able to get any of these for under 3k when they come up on the used market. And if you have the time and money to spare, sell for the same price if you don't like it.

Another tube option is Jadis, especielly for the kind of music you listen too (same as myself!). I own different Jadis equipment and the other day I bought their integrated Jadis Orchestra Reference, around 3k new. It's a wonderfu sounding 2x40 watt great looking amplifier, and it has tone controls too which I like a lot! The sound is very "real" and has surprisingly good bass control too.

If I would go solid state, I probably would have chosen the Musical Fidelity M6i, I think it sounds terrific, I could have owned one myself and lived with it forever probably. Of course there are hundreds of other amps out there, these are just my initial recommendations. Please keep us posted, very interesting to follow and see what you come up with! Good luck.