Upgrade Path

On second thought I believe the digital player in the system I heard was a Classe Omega, not the Chord. Just want to be accurate. Thanks again for the replies.

Thanks for the responses so far, I appreciate your opinions. My ARC amp is SS but the pre is a hybrid tubed. The cables are Tara interconnects and Audioquest silver speaker cables. I do like the sound of my system but I know it can get better. The question is how much better and at what cost?

I once heard a Duke Ellington recording at a Joseph's Audio demo that blew me away. The retail value of that system was about $75k. I remember they used Manley electronics, Chord cd player and a very expensive turntable along with the Pearl speakers. The digital tracks sounded great as well, but the vinyl Ellington the the most memorable.

&WThanks again for the replies. The room is a finished basement with plaster board walls and ceiling. Being a basement, the ceiling height is around 7ft. The floors are carpeted with a sectional couch. I guess some sort of room treatments would help, but I'll have to research that. I have heard and like the 603s very much but I'm not sure they are really an improvement over my 802s. Maybe I need to give them another listen. I have also been impressed with the Sonus Faber Cremona and Audio Physic offerings as well.

The reason I started this thread is because when I inquired at a local audio shop they suggested the speakers were the weak link in my system. I got concerned when he started about how B&W are now Chinese owned (?) and I should sell my 802s before that becomes well known. He immediately lost my credibility with that statement.