Seeking Advice to Improve My Audio System ($1000 Budget)

(Not sure if you can see this if you're not a member of the Audiophile Foundation)

We had a recent "$2000 Budget System Design Challenge", and the results may be seen at: https://sfaf.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=794405&item_id=115420&

The rules were pretty loose, but they generally all include at least 1 source component, so the amp & speaker combos are at least in the kilobuck neighborhood.

You might also consider something like the Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated Amplifier; they've got a couple used ones at $599 at The Music Room (NOT to be confused with the  Parasound NewClassic 200 Preamplifier).  They just slid a 110 watt/channel class D amp into the 200 Pre case, so you get a full-featured preamp (MM/MC phono, DAC, subwoofer support, HT bypass, remote control, preamp out) plus power.  That gives you plenty of flexibility, and you can bypass any function later with a better external unit if you choose.  The current Parasound model is called the NC200INT, new at $899.  The company was sold a couple years back, so I think this is mostly just a re-badging.  Of course, you'd need to buy a pair of speakers, too!

BTW, speakers are the most important issue.  While I love the LS50s, I personally would never use them without subwoofing.  Since I'm reluctant to get a subwoofer, I've always ended up with floor standers.  Are your speakers currently on shelves, desktop, or stands?  Are you willing to dedicate some floor space to them (whether towers or smaller speakers on stands)?

@carlyleciv 

I hope you have an opportunity to go to stores, shows, other homes (is there an audiophile club in your area?) to hear a broad range of speakers.  The fact is that not everyone wants the same things from their sound system.  When I first started in this hobby/lifestyle, I had a friend that was a drummer.  After listening to every speaker he could find in the area, he bought his dream speakers and they are truly legendary - the Rogers LS3/5A.  They're still in production ~50 years later.  They're also tiny standmounts, use a 4.5" woofer, and feature a well-designed bass "hump" to get semi-decent low frequency extension.  However, what he wanted most was speakers that imaged properly and I have yet to hear speakers that I would swear better the LS3/5A in that aspect.

Most speaker makers will sell 1 or more standmount and tower type speakers.  Many of the larger, more established brands will have more than 1 line - reference and standard, maybe even home theater or wall-mount variations.  For example, KEF has Q ("affordable Hi-Fi"), R ("performance redefined"), Reference ("detail remastered") lines, plus more.  The LS50 is not part of any line, as it's too refined for Q, and lacks the bass performance required of an R.  While you might not end up preferring the KEF sound, hearing comparable speakers from the Q and R ranges (or any other maker with a similar model profile) might help you decide how far up-market you need to go to be satisfied.