Speakers with Rotel amp

Thanks to all of you who have sent thoughtful and intelligent responses so far. I am new to the audiophile world and find your responses to be a great help. My budget is $2500 or less. The Vandes 2Ce signatures I have heard, but with Adcom electronics. I have read alot of great reviews on the Audioreview site about these speakers. The bass seemed weak but the saleman said to expect more bass when placed in the home so I may try to demo those at home with the Rotel. I definitely want some punch(but not boom)to my bass. I auditioned a pair of Thiel 1.5s today with the Linn Majik and a Linn CD player. The Thiels sounded great. Nice bass and terrific midrange. Any comments about Thiels with the Rotel ?

What are you using for a cd player.I still think you need to revisit you amps.What are your present speakers.

I would stick with the vandys 2ce sig as they always seem to have more bass in home (ask to borrow the floor pair as they are most likely broken in). I don't know what you front end is but I'd work on a preamp next (tubes will make you drool) unless your front end is really bad (ie mass market cd player with no d/a. Macdonj is right rotel can be tilted up that why I suggest tube pre and if you can leave your equipment on all the time as that will tame some of the harshness

Thanks again all. My goal is to put together a system piece by piece over the next 3-6 months. Budget for the whole system would be $4-5 K. I started with the Rotel receiver and agree it is not the best but wanted something to hold me over until I can afford higher end stuff. I thought I would get speakers next(spending $2500 or less), then upgrade to better electronics. Since I could use the Rotel as a pre-amp I thought a better amp would make a difference. What I'm hearing is I should probably reconsider the Rotel. I've listened to CD players from NAD, Linn and Marantz. Linn was by far the best. I have heard alot about the Rega Planet but have not auditioned it yet.

$4-5k you could have an awesome system (are you counting you purchases already made) I would do vandy 2ce sig, front end (d/a or good all in one) if you play records pick up a rega turntable (they are a steal for the money) , find a good pre that you like with you combo, then the mccormick amp (great combo with vandy)......some where along the line some wires but be careful with this one they can change the sound with different componets (so maybe chose wire for your end system not you current one.