speaker upgrade from Magico A3


I'm hoping for some opinions and recommendations on a speaker upgrade. Thanks  in advance for any helpful, non judgmental advice or recommendations.

Current system is :  Aurender N200, T+A 200 DAC, T+A PA 3100 HV integrated, Magico A3 speakers, Pair REL S/510.

System is in a large room ( 30x35ft with 20 ft high pitched ceiling). Speakers 8ft apart 24" from front wall, subs next to speakers on outside. Very little to no opportunity for alternate positioning or room treatment.

Music prefs are 80% classical, 20% rock and techno.

I initially found the A3s to be lacking in base, so I added the subs which helped a lot.  At times the A3s boarder on bright sounding to me, but not to my wife whose ears are better. I do fit into the category of "old man whose hearing is deteriorating."  Just the same I would like to upgrade the speakers to something that would be an SQ upgrade and perhaps a better match to the room size. I can still appreciate musical nuances and although I may not have the ear I had 10 years ago, I am certain I could appreciate the upgraded SQ from a big jump in speakers.   My ideal budget is roughly $20K but have the means to go higher if it meant amazing SQ.

 If possible, I prefer to buy pre-owned, but have never purchased speakers out of state or had them shipped.  I now have an opportunity for out of state pre-owned SF Amati Traditions for $19K or out of state dealer demo Magico A5s for $19.5K.

Local dealer has demo SF Serafino G2s for $23K which I could home demo if wanted or Amati G5s for $34K, also available for home demo.

I know Magico and SF are totally different. I have heard SFs several times at dealers (never at home) but my only Magico experience is current A3s. Is it weird to say I like both and not certain about which I prefer?  

Intuition is telling me to go towards warmer and more musical which is why I've started to look at SFs.  I live very close to The Music Room, but am not seeing any current speaker offerings that are calling to me, They have a pair of Dynaudio Confidence 50s for $20K, but it would cost me a 5% restocking fee and a PIA to home demo them. I can't seem to find much online info regarding them.

 

In case its relevant:

My previous system in this room (sold to finance something else) consisted of B&W 802 D3 with Macintosh MC462 ,Simaudio Moon 740P preamp and MSB discrete dac..  I found I was missing hifi music and started again with a small system, consisting of pre-owned Hegel H390 and the A3 speakers. I eventually added the Aurender and T+A Dac. A few weeks ago I had a local opportunity to trade the H390 for the T+A PA 3100 (plus cash), so I took it. 

mintakax

The AXPONA show is in a few weeks (Chicago area). Fly in and have a listen!

@mintakax ,

In addition to ProAc, I recommend Vandersteen. There are enough models to choose from, with respect to your budget. One thing the Vandies have over other speakers is a separately powered subwoofer (on the Quatro and up). Even using a Sub 3 will allow you to tune it to the room.

I have no experience with Magico, but I did audition the top models of Sonus Faber when I was in San Diego. I hate to say I was not impressed, in fact dissapointed.

If you are in the Northeast, Audioconnection would be the first place you should try to audition speakers. Johnny has ProAc and Vandersteen, and knows how to put a system together. I suggest you PM him (Audioconnection).

Bob

@gdnrbob and @soix - thanks, I'm in Colorado. I would love to hear some PrtoAcs K6 signatures, but can't find a Colorado dealer. I'll keep my eye out for Vandies.

 

@dweller --  I have considered AXPONA, my step daughter and family live close by. I should just do it.

 

@mintakax

You're more then welcome.  Glad to help.  Good luck in your search.  Happy listening.

I went from the A3s to Harbeth M40s.  I also mainly listen to classical.  I really liked the A3s but wanted something a little warmer and more natural, and which breathed easier, fwiw. The Harbeths definitely fit the bill on that count.  TMR sells them, perhaps you could look to audition them there.  They also sell ATC, which are excellent.  If it were me, I’d take my A3s there, and ask them to set up a demo with some good high power SS amp, and compare to the Harbeth and ATC SCM50 or 100.  I’m not sure how T+A would go with them but Harbeths respond pretty well to good solid state amplification in general; ATCs demand it.  But both of these speakers are excellent.  Otherwise, you might want to consult with a good T+A dealer like Bliss HiFi - they’re really great.  They may have some ideas on synergy with speakers.  Ultimately I ended up with Focal (Kanta) speakers only because I moved and originally the Harbeths were too big for my room.  Although I have a new room now, I prefer the Focals also to the Magicos in general.  Magicos require careful matching with electronics whereas the Focals works with just about everything.