Suggestions please: upgrade from Dynaudio S1.4

Thanks a lot for your responses!

Meiwan, yes that was my concern too: mess with a good system can be risky. Indeed mostly what I am looking for was more authority in sound stage and bottom end. On other side it is about time to try something new. I do worry about room acoustics for floor stands because I already had to deal with it carefully with the S1.4 (and still don't quite get it yet).

Buff I like your idea with subs. I think that at least gives better flexibility. If it does the tricks for piano, I would love to try. I play on 9 foot concert grand Steinway regularly and you know how much I would love it to bring that sound (even part of it) home. While considered this idea before, I was afraid of possible integration issue with subs, and I don't know much about subs. Some suggest on choice of subs would be great.

Miker, I had no experience with Merlin speakers besides reading some good review about it. I am sure they serve you very well now, did you compare it with corresponding speakers from Dynauodio (ie. S5.4) when you were shopping for them?

All those said, some times I also feel the amp I am using may be the source of my complain, while I love how strings sound with Accuphase, I see quite often the meter max out on the E-530 when playing to near concert volume. I heard good words on Jeff Rowland (Continuum 500) driving Dynaudios, any thoughts on that too?

I really appreciate your inputs!

Wow, what great responses, not it makes the decision easier (if not more complicated) but definitely very thoughtful and helpful inputs! You guys really understood my concern

I still like the idea of adding a sub, and move up to C1, which seems least painful. Move to separates sounds nice too, but I think it is time to move up from S1.4 though I definitely agree, for the price, it is the best I listened to. And it could be the next step.

I like how people described the Harbeth, somehow it does seem attractive to me (maybe I am judging by the look?). I would find a chance to listen to then though, and it may attract me when I hear them. Comparing it to Dynaudio, first I think Dynaudios are very neutral, at least compared to KEF or B&Ws, and I don't think they are "too cool", especially with Accuphase. I don't know what the approach Harbeth is, but I imagine it would be hard to beat the neutralness while I could expect better instrument separation and depth (which is not overly good with the S1.4).

On the other side, I love that Nvp brought up the Avantgarde, I was intrigued by their form, (again, by the looks) and I had been thinking about high sensitivity speakers to "save" my E-530 as I really like the class-A sound compared to the higher power rated E-4XX series. Seems they are hard to find, but I would love to hear them with the Accupahse, and the avant-garde form may just stimulate my desire to own them!