Step up from Audioengine A5+?

[forgetcolor]

I've been building a vinyl listening system for the last year, with a focus on the source side. At this point I'm running a Technics SL-1600mk2 with a Nagaoka MP-500 cartridge and a Yamaha PX-3 with a Dynavector 10x5 cartridge, both into a Budgie Hybrid Tube Phono Stage. The Budgie plugs directly into a pair of Audioengine A5+ speakers.

I had the A5+' already which is why I stuck with them. I have several pairs in fact, used in this system but also on the TV and in the living room (with an Audioengine S8 subwoofer).

So before today I've spent all my time in the turntable forum here on AK. But I'm stopping over here to see what the speaker crew thinks about the A5+, and how it compares to an amp/speaker combo either vintage or new. What would I have to step up to in order to have a significant increase in quality? I'd appreciate any starting suggestions that help me understand where the A5+ fit and of where to start in considering an upgrade.

 

[sqlsavior]

By reputation, my guess is that the A5s would sound like a $250 bookshelf pair plus a $450 integrated amp, and that you would need to spend that much if buying new, to better them with separate traditional components.

If you can deal with dipole planars, room-wise, this will get you halfway to Nirvana:

Emotiva Control Freak (volume control - $50) + Hafler DH-220 power amp (used, $220) + Magneplanar MMGs (new, 60 day trial, $600)

 

[RamblinE]

Have you looked at the Emotiva Airmotiv line of powered monitors?

There's a lot of hype around JBL's line of monitors right now with the very real downside that they require heavy modification and most folks using them are doing so with digital source and digital correction software.

The Vantoo Transparent One would be on my list if I were shopping for monitors but the caveat with these is that their primary party trick is the internal dac/amp. So with these, while they do have an aux-in you'd be spending $500 on a very good pair of speakers whose greatest asset, the dac, you may never really use at all.
http://noaudiophile.com/JBL_LSR308/
http://noaudiophile.com/JBL_LSR305/
http://noaudiophile.com/Vanatoo_Transparent_One/

There is also the KEF X series (X300A) but that again also sports a built in dac so it would be a question of how much would you pay for features you're not going to use?

I like that guys reviews but he's rough around the edges and like every reviewer one will not always agree with him. If you like your Audioengines then avoid his write up of their products unless you've got a thick skin. I have a dac from Audioengine and appreciate them as a company.