Help me pick a new desktop speaker

You mentioned passive speakers but the Vanatoo active speakers are very good.

For your price range, i would go with a Yamaha HS8 active monitor for around ~700-ish (no amp needed). Set it on stands on either side of your desktop. It is not some sterile sounding monitor, but a very musical speaker.

You could put it on something like a Schiit Jotunheim (R2R dac + preamp) and have some high quality sound, i.e. you would need to spend a lot more to beat that level of sound whilst sitting nearfield or midfield.

The Andrew Jones Elacs typically need a higher quality amp, etc (might fall outside your price range) to reap their full potential.

I am a picky audiofool and dont want to thru a merry go round. 

I appreciate the thoughts everyone has voiced.    I have thought about the Vanatoo many times but not pulled the trigger.  Talked to them at Axpona.  Have also looked at the Adam audio.

OOO  the Yamaha HS8 - very interesting suggestion.    Looking at this as I type.

Keep the suggestions coming.   My desktop is looking forward to the upgrade!

@panhead2  which Edifier speaker do you have?

I have the Edifier R1700b fed by IFI Zen dac and USB Regen and Wireworld cables.    Its ok,   a bit thin.    Im spoiled by main system and that is another subject.