Looking for new speakers

$10-$15k is enough money to get anything you want and the good thing about buying used is you can resell if they don't workout. I usually just tell people to go up the line in the same brand they already have since thats the sound that will probably sound most natural to you. 

I hear zero distortion of DK’s look of love album. I’ve both the 180 gram lp and a 33lp. Also I have the cd. I use electrostats, which are very revealing! All of these have playback of this album with zero distortion. Something is wrong in your system. 

@millercarbon is a troll trying to push his ideas and equipment choices on everyone else. If that doesn’t work he’ll bully you. He doesn't have a life but has plenty of money if you believe what he says. He spends his time posting on Agone, whatch his posting numbers, they go up a couple hundred to thousands every week.

This might have already been covered, but do you have another source besides the turntable?  CD player or streamer to hookup to the Luxman 509x and check, if the same distortions are heard on same tracks?

that is what I would do before getting new speakers. 
Are you using the phonostage in your 509x?  If you are that is probably not so good match with a low output Koetsu. The loading of 100 ohms is probably not optimal for that cartridge. I know it was not for my Ortofon Cadenza Black. You probably need 400 ohm loading. 
That cartridge with is 5 ohm internal impedance is perfect for a trans impedance type phone stage such as a Sutherland Little Loco. That is what I currently use. It is amazing! 
You could always go the route of a step-up transformer and then go into the MM of the Luxman. I have used Bob’s devices in the past and they are awesome quality too. 
Jason

Theo,
The great news is that if you have an itch for new speakers, a strong market exists for your current Thiels. That is a nice problem to have. You can find some pretty amazing speakers for $10-15K, but I do wonder if you would be happier. I would highly suggest you hang onto the Thiels for a bit if you do change to avoid sellers remorse. Many on the Thiel thread have speakers dating back to the 90's being run by SOTA amplification and sources.

I haven't read all of the responses but it does sound like there are some problems in your new set up.  It is rare that something becomes unlistenable unless there is a problem before the signal gets to the speakers. I had Thiel 2.2s for a long time and generally loved their sound.  They could be a little bright at times.The 3.6s had a similar sound but greater bass.  When I moved my system into a dedicated music room that was 17x32 with a cathedral ceiling and a truncated back wall, the Thiels were just not big enough to fill the room.  Added a Sunfire subwoofer but getting the integration right was difficult.  I listen to Krall, jazz and R&R.  I listened to and bought Legacy Focus speakers that had two 12" woofers in each speaker and love them.  They have been replaced by the Focus SE in the Legacy line.  Legacy speakers continue to have great reviews with the higher cost Aeris model and those above it.   I certainly would  listen to them once you find the "bug" in your set up.

Agree with the others that there is a problem upstream.  If in the unlikely event that it turns out to be the loudspeakers and you want to make a jump to something else....
+1 for  http://aaudioimports.com/ShowProduct.asp?hProduct=320
Seriously good. Best of luck

High output from the main instrument or vocal. Hmmm still sounds like distortion from the turntable setup to me.  45RPM audiophile especially. Hmm more dynamics, bigger demand on the turntable cartridge, tracking, tonearm etc.   Do you have your turntable perfectly balanced?  It the tracking force too light?  Anti-skate done properly?   Turntables are not like installing a refrigerator or hanging a picture frame.    They are the most critical component in a system.   I must have owned at least 200 different components in my life. And the BIGGEST improvement I ever made was going from a Dual 1229 to a SOTA Sapphire. Not even speakers as different as Klipsch vs ProAc (or dozens of others) ever made such a sonic difference.   Micrometers, protractors, balancing measurements, magnifying lenses, etc, and a couple of hours time to setup a turntable placed where you are going to use it (not just at a dealer and then brought home) is what it takes to get it right.    That is, sure a dealer can do the rudimentary setup, but the finer aspects of the setup must be done where the turntable is going to reside. 

I actually am leaning towards the source (turntable, tonearm or cartridge) being the problem.  Just because the dealer set it up does not eliminate it as being the problem. 

Isolate the problem before you start buying stuff.  Troubleshooting to isolate which component has the problem is easy if you use logic and deliberate methodology.   It would be a shame if you bought new speakers and the problem is still there. Right? 

P.S. For those who suggested speaker cables -- I am going to try upgraded cables just to make sure they are not the problem. They are all that remains of my previous system -- Purist Audio Aqueous from early 90s! Not bad but .... who knows.

The distortion I'm talking about is not egregious -- it doesn't immediately jump out at you, the way it might it there were serious issues with a driver or something -- in fact, close listening (with ear up to speaker) reveals that there are no drivers that are standing out as worse than others. It took me months of listening to realize that this was happening (it shows up most clearly in the Diana Krall record). In the beginning, of course, all I could hear was how much better it sounded than my old system. But over time, the sound difference from the previous system fades from memory, and you start hearing the flaws ... this seems to be the process! And one of the flaws I'm hearing is that there's just a STRAIN ... that might be a better word than distortion, though at root that's what it is .. especially in the instrumentals behind the lead voice, or the lead instrument (anywhere there's a large amount of sound coming through, as opposed to a single voice). Once you hear it, you can't unhear it!

I think maybe I should have just said I'm looking into the possibility of new speakers, and not mentioned distortion!

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions, and I will definitely check into some of the speakers mentioned.

I don't know if this is relevant, but...

Decades ago I owned 3.6's for a while.  Driving them with Muse 175 monoblocks.  There was one passage on one CD of piano music (Martinu) that excited some kind of ugly resonance/distortion in one of the Thiel's tweeters.  It was a metallic kind of sound.  I was never able to determine definitively if it was a fault in the amp or the speaker or the interaction between the two.  But in the long run I found the 3.6's fatiguing, so they left the building.

Finding a recording that consistently excites the problem is the first step, followed by listening to the system on headphones.  Can you say which of the drivers you hear the problem in?  I imagine you can still get tweeters etc. for the Thiels (Thiel owners thread); a lot cheaper to install those yourself than shipping the speakers.

Diana Krall... almost unlistenable.

Isn't that always the case...?

theo714:
My opinion is that you need to be more thoughtful about what is happening in your system before putting the blame on your Thiel's. One thing is true: the Thiel are very revealing and they will voice whatever is coming to them. Let me share a recent experience I had that may be helpful.
I have had a pair of Thiel CS3.6's since about 2000, driving them until a few weeks ago with Manley Labs Ref 250 mono blocks, ARC Ref2 MKII pre, ARC PH3SE Phono stage, ARC CD3, VPI HW-19 Mk4, Linn LP12, Benz Ruby 2, Van Der Hul One, and Transparent Ref cables. I was happy for a long time with my collection of what I thought were quality CDs and LPs. A month ago, my system changed to Pass Labs X260.8's (new, not broken in), ARC Ref 5SE (used), ARC Ref 2SE (used), Ruby LPS, Lyra Atlas, and Cardas Clear Rev.1 cables (new). The Thiel's stayed. For the first several days, I did not like it. There was all kinds of distortion, dullness, very disappointing. After 3 weeks of playing, everything changed, but actually two things happened. On one hand, many of my recordings sounded wonderful, hugely better than before. On the other hand and to my disappointment, I discovered that some of my "audiophile" recordings are not as good as I thought. My new system is revealing the truth.

In your case, I would suggest that you investigate the issue more methodically. For instance, play a recording that you are satisfied with, and from your collection, play another recording with similar content that shows distortion. Can you isolate the problem to the type of music of frequency band, i.e., vocals, instrument highs, midrange, bass etc.?
It may be that your Thiel's need to be serviced, but something else may be the problem. I would not assume that your new components are fine. Are all your components broken in?
Finally, I don't believe the idea that when the 3.6's were designed the electronics were inferior and so the 3.6's are inferior.

Lucky for me, I have finally located a pair of Thiel CS3.7's that I will be receiving this coming week, and my 3.6's will need a new home.

Perhaps the Thiels are amp-sensitive.  I home-demoed the Thiel 3.5's with a 200 WPC Perreaux Mosfet amp and preamp. Mosfets are generally mellow, but the combo was ear-bleedingly bright.  I think the 3.6 was smoother, but once bitten...

Before you blame your speakers check if you have same issue with digital recordings i.e. CD player. If not could be you turntable. If same distortion is apparent with digital source,  try changing your interconnects and speaker cables. If the problem is still present, borrow a pair of speakers from your audio dealer or friend and see if the issue is resolved.  I doubt its the speakers.

imThorek

Glad I'm not the only one to find it irritating when someone lays down the law (with conceit I might add) like it's the final word, each. and. every. time. Good grief, there isn't one opinion and everything else beneath it. 

If it turns out not to be a problem elsewhere in your system or with the files themselves, and you are still interested in replacing your speakers, keep in mind resale value is important unless you are not an upgrader. That was a big reason why I bought B&Ws, and why I bought my BMW.

Also, I would be cautious when evaluating recommendations offered here for specific speakers. No one knows enough about your tastes or your room or how best to inject synergy into your system. I learned the hard way to keep my own counsel.

Last but not least, try to avoid the flavor of the month, most likely it will cloy sooner rather than later.

+1 Vandersteen Quattro ct

I haven’t heard anything better than the Vandy Quattro CT at that price point.  But speakers are like ice cream; so many flavors, we all have our favorites. Good luck and report back on what you choose.  

I agree with a couple of people here, ignore the 1st responder unless you want to go backwards in sound quality.
I also agree with others to try a different source. Also, try different speaker cables, even some cheap 16/14 gauge wire just to see if the distortion goes away.
Do you have any friends that you can borrow a pair of speakers or do you have another set of speakers that you can hook up to see if the distortion is still there? In the end, if it is the speakers, there are many different speakers in that range of expense that would be better than what you have IMO:
Totem Winds, Usher TD10 or TD20, Revel Studio 2

I have a room the same size as yours and listen nearfield mostly to vocals and small ensembles. The best speakers I ever heard in this space have been Reference 3A De Capos. They are standmounts, quite sensitive. Strongly recommend you look into them. 

What soix said. Try a different source other than phono and see if a problem there too. If there is then it’s amp or speakers. If not that would point to phono rig or phono section of amp.
Troubleshooting expensive component systems is not easy but trick is to swap things in and out as regression tests to isolate the problem. Otherwise it is hard to be sure.

+ twoleftears

Good rule of thumb around here:
Ignore the first responder.

Yeah, if the speakers need repair you ship them. First you could call or email, explain what your problem is and they might know if it’s an issue they’ve dealt with or something they don’t think is related to the speaker. If they are familiar with what you’re describing you could probably get a local shop to fix it and get the parts from them.

How does it work? You have to mail them the speakers? (!!!!)

If it's something with the speakers here's the place to contact.

 https://www.coherentsourceservice.com/

You my want to have your turntable dealer come back and check things out before you spend any real money. Could be an analog issue that they would be able to correct.

I would take a look at these speakers: 
http://aaudioimports.com/ShowProduct.asp?hProduct=320

Tremendous technology and no hype, Wonderful midrange that is missing on most speakers and sweet yet extended soft dome tweeter, Accurate and music bass that doesn't emphasis the dreaded 80Hz doubling that I hear so often, or the over dampened dead sounding bass. 
Serious speakers for music lovers and ones that audiophiles can boast about as well. 

You will get this with better speakers. Excuse me. Tektons. Don't hold me to that if you decide on something else.

lmao! Whatever...

Agree with others you likely have a problem somewhere.  If you still have your old amp or can borrow one I’d definitely try that to rule out the Luxman as even new gear can have issues, and it sounds like you didn’t have this distortion problem until you started using the new amp or turntable — no?  Also, blown speaker driver or crossover component — is the distortion from both speakers?  If it is, I think it points further to a possible upstream problem.  A bad cable or dirty connection somewhere could also be the culprit, so I’d try cleaning all your connections, which is a good thing to do anyway if you haven’t lately.  I assume you’ve cleaned your records and stylus, but sounds like a dirty needle kinda sound you’re describing.  You’ve got some great speakers, so if you still like their overall sound it’s worth a little frustrating troubleshooting.

That said, as an owner of speakers from a manufacturer no longer in business I could make a case to sell them before parts become an issue — no fun sitting on eggshells wondering when a speaker component might fail.  Plus, it’s not exactly an unenjoyable chore to go out and listen to some new speaks even if you don’t end up buying.  Toward that end and given you’re coming from Thiels, I’d recommend listening to Vandy Quatro, Joseph Audio Perspective 2, and Usher BE-10 if at all possible.  Hope this helps, and best of luck. 

I really don't think there's a problem with the turntable setup -- the dealer set it up in January when I bought it, and I basically have not touched it. The cartridge is a Koetsu black moving coil. It's so new I doubt it needs replacing or tweaking. However I can ask the dealer if he'd be ok with checking out the setup (I am not a person who enjoys fiddling with devices!).

The reason I think it's the speakers, or something beyond the amplifier, is (1) both devices going into the speakers are almost new and of excellent quality and (2) the distortion increases with the excellence of the recording, i.e., Analogue Productions 45s or the like. You can just hear that there's MUCH more information coming through. You can hear that it would sound absolutely fantastic if that information could come through distortion-free. And something can't handle it. Now, there's the possibility that it's the speaker cable, which is the only thing remaining from my ancient old system (the CS3.6s, purchased from eBay, were an upgrade from Thiel 2.2s purchased in 1992!). I plan to try new speaker cables first, but I seriously doubt that's the problem.

I'll see what information I can find out about having the Thiels checked out, and I'll take a look at some of the speaker threads on this site. Thanks for your input!

1. ignore first respondee.
2. as others have suggested, address audible distortion issue first.  If the Thiels and everything else are performing to spec, you shouldn't hear this.  Try and isolate it by swopping/swopping over components.
3. There are lots of 10-15K speaker threads on here already.  There's a LOT of product out there.  You can run the gamut from Harbeth to Wilson.  

If you're having distortion listening to records it's most likely your turntable setup if there a professional near you who can check it out?

As your Luxman integrated has pre outs and main ins I would look at the Vandersteen Quatro CT. Same first order crossover concept as your Thiels with the addition of the built in subwoofers. But first as tomcic said check with the people on the Theil thread and see if yours just need some TLC. 

Jim T understand driver breakup had two components, one completely unrelated to drive level, so the drivers you already own are really good :-) 

Actually no, Jim T was a genius - sounds like you have some aged filter caps or a bad driver - reach out to people who own Thiels today on the Thiel thread curated by @jafant Tom who worked for many years at Thiel is a frequent poster and you can contact Coherent Source for service.
never take advise from somebody who runs down Thiel for a box of cheap tweeters bought unheard....
iF you do want to stick with a time a phase coherent speaker - don’t read about them, you can hear them all across the USA - Vandersteen since 1977 and yes, jim and Richard Vandersteen we’re rivals but also friends.
Enjoy the journey but more importantly the music !!!

If you hear distortion with new gear upstream, can’t rule out the possibility something there is the source. If it corresponds to the speed of the turntable, could well be an issue with the phono section of your system.

What cartridge is being used? Moving coil or Moving magnet? Is it properly connected for that to the amp? Is it possible the stylus on the cart is damaged or worn? Do you hear distortion with non-phono sources?

Just some things to consider before assuming it is the speakers. Many ways to produce distortion if a phono rig is not set up properly.

FWIW those Thiel are as good or better than most assuming they too are in good operating condition.  Damaged crossover tweeter or other drivers would likely cause distortion.

If the distortion is associated with higher volumes with any source could be amp clipping. THiels are not efficient and usually require a lot of power and current to sing. but that Luxman should be up to the task.

Millercarbon: how much does Tekton pay you?  If nothing, how boring is your life that all you can do is literally push Tekton speakers at every opportunity you can?  

See my Tekton Moab thread. You don't have enough budget to do any better without going to Encore or Ulfberht. Which you are welcome to do. Double Impacts will be better in every way than your Thiels. 
Moabs are considerably better than Double Impacts. The other two are better still, but Moabs are the killer value.  

Your premise however is iffy at best. There's genuine audiophile demo tracks recorded with electronics made from before Mr Thiel was a gleam in his daddy's eye. So that ain't it. What it may well be however is you're listening to reissues and assuming they're the best because that's what the ad copy says. With records however no such luck. Quality varies tremendously from pressing to pressing. Two identical copies never really sound identical. Quite a lot of them are not all that good. 

Your records will sound better than ever with any of the Tektons from DI on up. The same distortion you are hearing will still be there. It will be more clear, but not more distracting. A strange thing about incredible detail, it makes the music so much more clear its distinct from the noise and so the noise actually bothers you less. May not sound logical but the same thing happens with the best cartridges, the music is much more clear and the surface noise seems to disappear. You will get this with better speakers. Excuse me. Tektons. Don't hold me to that if you decide on something else.