Low Volumes


I live in Manhattan and live in a modest-sized studio. I'm currently set up with a Cayin A-50T and Totem Rainmakers. I love the sound they produce, but generally only when I increase the volumes to more than moderate levels. Unfortunately, neighbors (including complaining ones) exist. Is there a speaker/amp combo that would give me much fuller, satisfying sound at lower levels? I had vowed to avoid the "upgrade" bug, but feel this is a valid reason. My budget would be $4k-$5k (for both speaker and amp; each used).

Do I need better speakers? Model 1s crossed my mind. Better amp? A Luxman 505u crossed my mind.

Other components (if they matter): Cardas Crosslink interconnects, entry-level nordost bi-wire, Chordette DAC.
northern3light
About your before 10PM question - you need to look up what your local law is about the acceptable decibel level of noise. You will almost certainly find out that unless you are playing your system ridiculously loud, that the level you do play it at is FAR below the legal limit.

As a professional horn player, I used to be very concerned about this when I lived in apartments, until I figured out that the legal limit in my area was far higher than the decibel level that any brass instrument is capable of creating. That said, I never did have a single complaint about my practicing, no matter how loud it was, but I never played after 9PM out of courtesy to my neighbors.
Another characteristic that needs to be addressed is dynamics .

I have a decent sounding low level system that has all of the micro & macro details , resolution , airy highs and tight bass .

But the dynamics , the difference between the loud and soft sounds with in the tune , are lacking . This , for me makes the music boring ! It sounds great but just does not move me . No head bobbing , toe tapping or air guitar action .

I used to think that this was amplifier related but further study has lead me into the direction of the speaker .

Good luck .
I second the above re Quad ESL's. Given the number of cheap amps that can give great sound with these, I'd say its definitive. See the following website for amp matches:http://www.quadesl.org/Amplifiers/amplifiers.html
Limiting factor may be that they need several feet from rear wall to sound best. Quads Unlimited reputed to be best rebuilt version.
A good quality dynamic range compression device (like the old home dbx units or perhaps even newer digital solutions) might be helpful in cases where music has wide dynamic swings, like orchestral music, yet the volume must stay low.