What's Next?

I would try to listen to some JM labs if I were you. Before you do that, though, have a listen to the new B&W line. I think you'll find that the 803 Diamond is quite a bit better than your current speakers.

If you've only had the gear for 6 months (which I'm assuming because of your comment about being into high end for 6 months) and you're happy with the 803s then why change?

If your priority is stereo (by which I assume you mean 2 channel) reproduction, then you might want to ditch or sideline the Rotel 1098 and leave it for HT processing, and bring in a dedicated 2 channel preamp or integrated that has a HT Bypass or pre outs.

I don't love the 803s, but if you want to attain some accurary and better sound, then I think the rotel is holding you back(BTW, I've never heard of a speaker loosing accuracy if you play it loudly for an extended time. A speaker is either accurate or not, depending on the associated gear). Also, you never mentioned what your amplification is, but in another post you said you were using Krell, which if assuming it a 2 chnl amp or monos should be fine.

I wouldn't spend the money on speakers until you deal with the pre/pro seciton, but there are a pair of Verity Audio Parsifal Encores for 8500, which is an amazing price for these speakers. They're not wood finished (piano black) but these speakers are 20 grand new, and sound every penny of it. Some like the Sonus Faber Cremonas, which are a step up from the 803s, but they're pretty big. There's a pair of ProAc Response 5 in the optional ebony finish 8000 and that's a pretty great price for these lovely speakers.

My recommendation: get a real preamp first, then see if you still want to change the speakers

You say you want to build your system around great speakers, and that's your choice. A lot of people do that. It's great when your refined, revealing, transparent speakers show you everything your source can do. But if you can hear everything your source can do and you're still not satisfied with your great speakers, well, it could be time to look at your source.

Personally I would be happy with any of the speakers Mimberman suggests, especially the Parsifal Encores (and that is a great price, wish I had it lying around). But not to dress it up too much, any of them would be slumming with a Rotel CD player. Sorry.

On the other hand, if you purchased the kind of CD player that made your 803s blush, THEN you would be ready for new gear downstream.

I only can echo what Mimberman and Tobias said. Your electronics are holding your speakers back. I believe in source first principle. If it ain't top notch from the beginning, it won't be at the end. Your speakers are only reproducing what they are fed, and they should be able to handle a significant upgrade on the fron end.

I'll chime in along with Mimberman, Tobias and Muzikat. I built a system around a Rega Planet (original) cdp. If you read the comments in my virtual system post, you'll see how the source-dollar-ratio was out of whack. I thought I had synergy, but I didn't. I regret having waited on upgrading my source last. I've gone through some great speakers looking for "the" sonic signature while it was my source holding me back all along.