What would you upgrade?

I'm thinking your answers - which are very helpful Hybrid81 - may alter the recommendations you get, especially the fact that we're talking about Spotify as the source, with a turntable in the future.

I have Spotify myself, and love it for the variety and convenience and discovering new artists. And it does sound good, better than listening to highly compressed MP3s of course, but as you have already discovered and acknowledged in your post above, it's not great. And the sound quality can vary dramatically, from beautiful to absolutely awful, depending on what they're using for their source. A great example is Til Tuesday's "Voices Carry", off the greatest hits album - I don't know why, but the bass is so horribly boosted that it's like listening in the back of a Honda CRX with 5 subwoofers, but not on the actual album, only on Spotify's version. I can't imagine trying to audition and pick speakers with Spotify as the source music. Actually, wouldn't critique any component based on Spotify, as much as I enjoy the service.

So I guess figure out what you plan to spend on a turntable, cartridge, and phono pre because I think your content source is obviously the weakest link in the chain, and even a $20,000 DAC won't change that, nor will the finest speakers in all the land.

After the turntable, look at new speakers - you're not crazy about what you have and speakers will change the results more than anything else, in my opinion, including the pre-amp and amp.

Hope some of this helps...most of the dudes on here know a heck of a lot more than I do. My system is pretty pedestrian compared to what most here have.

I would investigate integrated amps. Of the 5K budget what is allocated for turntable and phono stage? Is the Mac used for internet radio only?

I wish I had $5K going nuclear in my pocket.

I think your first step is to figure out a direction to head. You seem to want more extension to both ends of the spectrum, if I understand correctly, and more clarity/incisiveness of each note.

I'm with Sabai in that your Rainmakers are limiting. I've heard them and liked them for what they were (inexpensive small speakers). They initially sound much bigger than they are, with a nice full sound, until you realize that they're exaggerating the mid-bass because they have essentially no bass extension, and the top end is a little closed in.

I haven't head the Focal, but if you like the Totem sound, here is my suggestion:

Speakers: Totem Hawks (consider also the Forest)
(Alternative: PSB Stratus Silver or Silver i)
Integrated Amp: Plinius 8200

You can find both of these used pretty easily and well under your price range. I think this will definitely help you achieve what you're looking for, although the comment above about your source material is a valid one. I would stick with your DAC Magic for now and only look to upgrading if if/when you get better quality sources (CD quality or better). I think the Plinius has a phono input, so you wouldn't necessarily need a stand-alone phono preamp for your turntable.

Sell the Rainmakers, Peachtree, and Emotiva. You will be MUCH happier with the sound.

Michael

Thank you all for the responses!

BCgator, I agree on the source material not being of the finest quality, no doubt about it. I thinks that's why I'm looking for a setup that is a little more forgiving then what I currently have.

The DirectSteam DAC looks really nice, but the focus seems to be on CD's and DSD. I do not own any CD's, only a vinyl collection that's been collecting dust for about 10 years. Have not really looked hard at DSD yet because I can not find much content that I would enjoy listening too. Truthfully I have not looked that hard because I do not have a DSD capable DAC.

Regarding a turntable, I'd like to stay somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 assuming the amp/pre I end up with has a phono stage. If not, I would probably budget around $700.

I'm starting to think that selling off my entire amp/speaker setup and reinvesting might be the way to go, not to mention it would increase my budget to around 8k. That changes things a bit.

Michael, regarding the Totem Hawks, I plan to listen to them tomorrow at a shop in New Jersey. They seem to be on AG on a regular basis at good prices. I feel good about the Rainmakers regarding Jazz but nothing else, really. Are the Hawks that different that they'll be able to cover more types of music comfortably? I plan to research the Plinous tonight. Any other recommendations for a full ranger that covers rock/jazz/electronic well? Starting with the speaker and working backwards would seem to make the most sense.

Thank you all again for taking the time. Regardless of how long it takes or where it ends up, I'll report back once the dust settles.

Weak sources and now wants to add cheap turntable. Not how I'd do it.