1. Electronics need to match the speakers. In fact, the entire system, cables and all, needs to work together. But the ’wrong’ power or pre-amp and great sounding speakers will suck.
2. Once you've selected the speakers and electronics, the room makes a huge difference, size, shape, treatment, furniture, speaker location and sitting position, and bass traps are worth every nickel, particularly in a typical box of a room with standing wave issues. For example, too, speakers are likely happiest when a few feet from the back wall and at least a few of feet from the side walls.
2. I noted before seeing your budget, $3000, that there are three brands worth looking at, each quite different, but each stunning in their own way. (a) Wilson Audio (pick your range, a good used selection are around), (b) Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario or Stradaveri ((these will be used, the new models miss the point), though the gentle high end and overall warmth may be too much for your taste, I recommend they are worth a listen) and (c) as others have mentioned, Magnapan (pick your range, add subwoofer to taste). Maybe $3000 is not sufficient for your objective. I say this because you will need to improve your pre-amp and amplifier to match the speakers.
I’ve had the Sonus Faber, both models noted above - these speakers are like bringing the symphony orchestra home (or Van Halen, or Miles Davis, or really - anything you could pump through them) all musicians came home in that set up. At first I was using Audio Research Reference 210 monoblocks and LS-27 preamp for electronics. Since the fireworks of tubes giving up the ghost isn’t very family friendly, I’ve moved to the Audia Flight Strumento #4 v.2, with the Audio Research LS-27 preamp. I miss tubes, but the Audiaflight is stunning.
I have the Marantz 8801 multimedia preamp (11.2 channels, balanced) and would use it only for AV, running it through the LS-27 for the front L/R. It's not really THAT good for music.
All this is to say, you have the right idea. Just keep at it. there has been a lot of good advice here.
2. Once you've selected the speakers and electronics, the room makes a huge difference, size, shape, treatment, furniture, speaker location and sitting position, and bass traps are worth every nickel, particularly in a typical box of a room with standing wave issues. For example, too, speakers are likely happiest when a few feet from the back wall and at least a few of feet from the side walls.
2. I noted before seeing your budget, $3000, that there are three brands worth looking at, each quite different, but each stunning in their own way. (a) Wilson Audio (pick your range, a good used selection are around), (b) Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario or Stradaveri ((these will be used, the new models miss the point), though the gentle high end and overall warmth may be too much for your taste, I recommend they are worth a listen) and (c) as others have mentioned, Magnapan (pick your range, add subwoofer to taste). Maybe $3000 is not sufficient for your objective. I say this because you will need to improve your pre-amp and amplifier to match the speakers.
I’ve had the Sonus Faber, both models noted above - these speakers are like bringing the symphony orchestra home (or Van Halen, or Miles Davis, or really - anything you could pump through them) all musicians came home in that set up. At first I was using Audio Research Reference 210 monoblocks and LS-27 preamp for electronics. Since the fireworks of tubes giving up the ghost isn’t very family friendly, I’ve moved to the Audia Flight Strumento #4 v.2, with the Audio Research LS-27 preamp. I miss tubes, but the Audiaflight is stunning.
I have the Marantz 8801 multimedia preamp (11.2 channels, balanced) and would use it only for AV, running it through the LS-27 for the front L/R. It's not really THAT good for music.
All this is to say, you have the right idea. Just keep at it. there has been a lot of good advice here.