I got the Hi-Fi bug a few years back and purchased the Adcom CD player and B&W Speakers with stands (also MIT IC and SC). I was very pleased with the noticeable sound improvement from my Mid-Fi Polk speakers and Sony CD player. For the past 3-4 years my system has sat and gone mostly unused. I have been using it more and more the past 2-3 months and am now hit by the upgrade bug.

The most obvious starting point is the Yamaha. While decent for HT set-up it doesn't drive the Nautilus' very well (80W at 6ohm). My original plans were to look into an integrated unit. Suggestions were YBA integre, Classe CAP-151, Moon I-5, Plinius 8200 MKII (Perhaps 9200) and a few others. These I listed probably lead the pack. The only ones I have heard are the Moon I-3 and a Plinius 9200 with a Meridian G08, Dynaudio 3.4's and about $4,000+ of Transparent Audio cabling! I fell in love with this rig!

I also listened to some CJ seperates PV10B and PV14L with a MF2250. I enjoyed the improvement in sound stage, more precise imaging and placement of instruments, a warmer sound that unfortunately lost some low end. I also demoed a pair of W-6 monoblocks run thru my Yamaha's pre-Out. While the power was great, the sound was marginally better.

Along this time I also demoed some Analysis plus cabling. Copper Oval In IC's, Oval 9 SC and Oval 10 PC. The most noticeable difference came from the PC into the CDP. Lower floor, crisper highs, deeper lows. The SC and IC were hard to hear much improvement. These combo's were used with the CJ gear, the Moon W-6's and also when trying a Moon I-3 Integrated.

[ RECAP ]

I started looking at a new Amp (likely Integrated) and now sit looking into seperates. Along the way I listened to the Dynaudio 3.4's (as mentioned above) and also some JMlab Electra (906 and 946). What this made me realize is how I am growing out of the B&W sound. By this i mean how loud the 805's need to be played for them to sound right to my ear. I don't think this is an uncommon flaw/issue with the B&W gear in general. When you put some power into them they do sound good - but I am looking to find a speaker that is more balanced along the volume range.

So here I sit now looking at new speakers and new power (either seperates or Integrated) and moving toward floorstanding speakers. My budget is ~$6,000 and could be tweaked up a little if the payoff was BIG.

I typically listen to a range of music from Jazz/Classical to New Age/Electronic with some definite pop/rock in the middle.

Constructive comments are welcomed!

One thing I plan to do immediately is get a dedicated circuit installed.

AMPS I am looking at: Plinius SA-102 and Moon W-5LE

Speakers I am looking at: Dynaudio 3.4, Energy Veritas 2.4i, JMlab Electra 927's (when they arrive).

PreAmps to look at: Maybe the Adcom GFP-750 (was highly reviewed and made Stereophile Class A) or perhaps a Tube pre-amp.

Again - I call on those with experience with these brands for some assistance.