My speaker upgrade journey - and a few questions

I guessed the response to my proposed use of the Yamaha would be negative.  What about an external streamer with a high quality DAC into the Yamaha (as pre-amp only) and then out via the pre-out XLRs to the speakers?  I would really like to keep the speakers hooked to the Yamaha so I can use them as the fronts for home theater or for two channel listening.

Never mind my question. After more research, I see that my solution is to get a high quality preamp with HT bypass.

I heard the Maggies a year or two ago as part of my quest, but did not love them.  I don't think the ATCs need any subs.  

Since your Yamaha AVR is both preamp and DAC why don’t you bring it with you and have John hook it up to the ATCs? Then you would have a much better idea of what the combination sounds like. That’s what I would do.

Brilliant idea. Will be a bit of a PIA to lug it down there, but it is worth the effort.

If I read your post correctly, you cancelled an order for speakers because not many people here "love them"

Sorry, but I was not clear about this. I cancelled them because I waited for two months and heard nothing from them.

So I did go down to Audio Connection today with my Yamaha AVR. I spent about three hours with John trying different options to find the best sound. I guess it is no surprise that the best option is an external DAC and a preamp with HT bypass. Would also need an external streamer. This adds about $5k to the price! Plus I would need to run about 30’ of XLR cables (two) from the preamp to the speakers and this appears to be about another $1k for each - assuming Audioquest.

I love this hobby, but I don’t think the active ACTs are worth all this extra cost. I think I will go with the passive version of the speakers and continue to use my Hegel H390 to drive them. I will also get the center channel speaker. I think the ACTs will be a nice upgrade from my Linns.

And I wanted to mention that we thought Spotify was just about as good as Tidal when we had the best equipment in use.  I was surprised.

So here is an update. I am a bargain/cheap/value oriented audiophile (pick one) and just could not get there on the cost of the ATCs and the associated equipment John recommended. I have heard such great things about the Arendal speakers that I am going to give them a shot. They are mail order only and you get a 60 day in-house trial and a 10 year warranty. I have ordered the 1723 Monitor S speakers. If I like them I will order the center channel to go with them.  If not, they will go back.

I also ordered the Wiim Pro Plus (another value pick) to stream Qobuz . Not sure if I will use the DAC in the Wiim or the Hegel as they appear to be comparable. I have two Wiim Minis on other systems so wanted to stay with the same app. I also have a Rhythmik sub that is hooked to the Hegel and helps fill in the low end.

And the Hegel is hooked to my Yamaha AVR via XLR cables and serves as power for the front channel in HT bypass mode when watching movies. I love the flexibility of being able to watch movies in surround or have high quality 2 channel with the same system.

Regarding the sound of the ATCs, I thought they did it all - nice refined tweeter, very present mid-range and fantastic low-end.  I think the actives sound better than the passive version, perhaps due to the three built in amps (one for each driver) that are perfectly matched to the drivers.  

However, I have been very excited about speakers before after auditioning in the store and then disappointed after getting them home.  I bought and returned a pair of Gershman Acoustic Studio IIs a few year ago.  

I will report back on the Arendals after I spend some time with them.