Looking for speaker recommendations

For 5k you can fined a used pair of Vandy Quatros per Carbon Tweeter
I recently did that my self wife really love the look
The Quatros are going better then anything else even without the CTs

I want to thank all who have replied to my discussion question but, of course, it leads to more questions.

I appears that many believe that I should replace my Teac Dac as a next step. I agree! I have read that 50%+ of a audiophile system budget goes to the speakers, what percentage goes to the Dac/preamp? 10%? 20%?

I have read the discussion suggestions to look for a used Benchmark Dac2 or 3 or a Classe CP-800 but they are not that frequently found used. I would guess that the used market for these items is limited because the technology is still new? (Less than 10 years old.) Much easier to find a good price on a 10 year old amp or speakers. 

That being said, I have ordered a new PS Audio Stellar Dac to replace the Teac. I like the PS Audio return policy.  I can audition the equipment in my listening space and make the decision.

I hope the Stellar sounds significantly better than the Teac. I hope I then like the Vandys enough to keep them.

But I know that probably will not be true.  What a wonderful and terrible hobby this is!

I have a Arye Codex for my DAC but the last time Richard Vandersteen was at Audio Connection I was talking to him about my next upgrade either amp or speaker he said the biggest change will come from the speakers and  ask if I had a good frontend Nick insured him it's very good so upgraded your speakers change out my Vandy 2Ce sign II for a used pair of Quatros the model before the carbons excellent choice

Salks.  Jim Salk is a true gentleman, will make lovely and to order, within your budget new...those RAAL tweeters with his designs simply make music at reasonable cost.  Within your budget, new.  Grats on your retirement and happy tunes.  Best, Norm

OOPs, sorry for duplication

I'm a Vandy guy and would go with a set of Treo's. I fully understand what your wife is feeling.  I honestly do, but you do need better electronics.  the Pre and DAC are sooooo important.  Go see Rutan at Audio Connection.  He has the Ayre Codex DAC that is great.  I'd honestly think about an integrated that Rutan carries Belles Aria that lists for 1800.  Guys, this is a sick integrated.  It should sell for about 5k. Yes, it's preamp is unreal.  

@2tuby 

Instead of a PS Audio Stellar DAC you should get a PS Audio Direct Stream DAC/preamp with Perfect Wave ll which is superior sonically to the Stellar DAC / pre. But I would think that the PS Audio Stellar DAC is better than what you have now. However, the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC with Perfect Wave ll will be a step up from the Stellar DAC. 

As was suggested I did some research.  I do like the CP-800 preamp/DAC to match my current CT-2300 amp but as I read more about the CP-800 I believe it has software issues that the company needs to address and since the company has been sold I do not see software upgrades being on the horizon.

My further search has led me to the Auralic Vega preamp/DAC. Has anyone in the group had any experience with the Auralic? How will it pair with the Classe CT-2300 and the Vandy 2c sigs? 

As always, thanks for any advice.

I've never heard the Auralic Vega paired with the Classe CA-2300 power amp and the Vandy 2C Sigs before. 
You should highly consider the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC. It is very good. 

In regards to the Classe CP 800 stereo preamp/DAC, I haven't heard of the software issues. Dunno. 

I thought I would check back in with an update. I tried the PS Audio Stellar gain DAC for a few weeks and it sounded good but. . . My wife (the black sock hater) who has a good ear said she preferred the teac.  I looked into the Direct Stream but it is out of my price range. So I located a used Classe CP-800 on Audiogon and purchased it.  The unit arrived today. I have been listening for the last three hours and it really sounds WONDERFUL in my system! Makes the Vandys sing. Caphill, thanks for the CP-800 suggestion. 

You’re welcome. Congrats on the purchase! The CP 800 is optimized for use with its USB DAC input. I highly recommend that you use its USB DAC input to stream music. Its USB input sounded the best compared to its other inputs.

In regards to PS Audio Direct Stream DAC, not too long ago there were quite of few of them offered for sale here and they were all used and quite a bit cheaper than their original MSRP since PS Audio is going to release its flagship statement DAC soon or might just already came out as we speak.

But if you’re happy with the Classe CP 800 preamp/DAC then stick with it. It is a great preamp/DAC unit built around its USB input configuration signal path and I’m pretty sure it will sound significantly better than your Teac. Everyone who bought the CP 800 use its USB input to stream music as a preamp/DAC/music renderer. If you’re strictly looking for a linestage analog preamp (no DAC) I wouldn’t recommend the CP 800 as there are better options out there in similar price range as the original MSRP of the CP 800 ($6k when purchased new). But since you’re looking for a DAC/preamp combo that can perform better than your Teac so that’s why I recommended both the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC or the Classe CP 800 to pair with your Classe CA-2300 power amp and Vandy speakers.

The CP 800 is more of a preamp product with built-in DAC whereas the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC is a DAC (digital source component) that happens to have a built-in digital volume control so people can use it as a DAC/preamp by setting the output to variables or use it strictly as a DAC (source component) by setting the output to fixed gain and connect it to a linestage analog preamp or analog integrated amp. With the CP 800 you have no other choice but use its volume control as a preamp/DAC and won’t be able to use it strictly as a DAC (source component) and connect it to an analog linestage preamp like you do with the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC. In other words, you won’t be able to set the output of the CP 800 to fixed gain like that of the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC.
Lastly, the CP 800 has analog inputs and can be used as an analog linestage preamp whereas the PS Audio Direct Stream DAC does not have analog inputs as it is more of a DAC (source component) than it is of a preamp.

Oops, the Devore Gibbon X's retail for over $15k, so you will never find a used pair even remotely close to your budget. Sorry.