I am changing my Avalon Acoustics speakers after 10 years. I fancy a change and want some advice. I have a high end marantz sacd and an Atc amp. I was thinking of Harbeth, Russel k or the dynaudio special 40. Has anyone had any similar set ups ? Budget about 2k and happy to buy ex demo/second hand.
Why are you wanting to change your speakers for some other brand/model?
Are your speakers the weakest link in your setup?
You have stated that you only listen to SACD/CD formats regarding all of your music. If you are happy with your source component(s) then maybe take a look at your amp and/ or preamp as a possible upgrade.
I'm mainly a LP & analog tape guy. To me this format is ideal regarding great sound.
A lot of music became available in the digital format that was not available in LP or analog tape format so I decided to collect SACD/CD's to encompass that music as well.
Unfortunately, digital had some unfavorable sonic issues that for what ever reason didn't seem to mesh well with solid state equipment that I was using or that I had auditioned at various audio shops.
In general, digital always sounded too bright and rather unnatural sounding.
Once I had started to listen to various valve amps & preamps in combination with various CD players did I realize that the brightness had gone and a more natural analog sound became very evident then I began to consider using only tube(valve) equipment instead of solid state for purposes of listening to SACD/CD's as the way to go.
I know have a digital playback system that sounds very natural and analog sounding to me. Using my turntable and tape machine with tubes presented a sound stage that lacked presence and sharpness, whereas as solid state filled everything in rather nicely, but by no means perfect, and provided a unique natural sound that I knew that I could live with permanently. Putting together a new analog playback system was relatively easy for me, a digital playback system proved to be rather difficult.
Just something to consider regarding your desire to change out your current speakers for other speakers.
Music to me is all about the sound and certain components do aid in that sound.
I know many people that change out components as often as they change clothes- they are HiFi hobby junkies rather than music lovers.
I would suggest auditioning as many components as you can before making any changes.
Just my opinions...