What integrated should I upgrade to?


Hi folks,

Firstly, my apologies for yet another "what should I" post.  But I'd like to seek the advice of my Audiogon brethren.  

Currently, in my second system used mostly for TV viewing, I have a pair of Wharfedale Reva 3 floorstanding loudspeakers, a Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amp / DAC and an Auralic Aries Mini streamer.  Wired with transparent Music Link / Wave cables and Shunyata Hydra Talos conditioner and Voodoo Fire power cable to the CXA80.  

I've been itching to upgrade the integrated amp, as I figure it is what's holding things back from a resolution standpoint.  I moved a better DAC (PS Audio Direct Stream Junior) to the second system and it didn't make a discernible difference given the existing gear.  I then moved the Reva 3's up to my reference system and plugged them in and they sounded wonderful!  I've got a Luxman 590axII integrated in that system with the PS Audio Direct Stream Junior DAC.  The power foundation is nearly the same; using Shunyata Denali there.  

So it leads me to conclude that the CXA80 needs upgrading.  

I have been considering a nice used Luxman 550ax or trying the new PS Audio Strata integrated.  I kinda know what to expect with the Luxman.  The PS Audio would be a greater unknown, but has the nicety of everything in one box: DAC, Preamp, amp and streamer.  The money outlay will be more for the Luxman, but not a huge difference.  It will be used rather than new.  Though, I would need a cheapy DAC just to accept the optical from the TV.  

Thoughts on this?  
jasonsim
Nah...lots of movies have good music and sound production in them. A stereo setup for movies is pretty nice in my opinion. Plus you get all the detail, nuance from spookier scenes (like in the movie Hereditary) and the impact of explosions and the like.
Yeah. That’s what I was thinking too!  Netflix shows like Dark have great soundtracks and dialogue is effortless now. 
Loving this new Luxman 505uxII. So much it has me itching to make a speaker upgrade now. I guess that would be a new thread. Lol


Oh getting new Speaker cables in on Monday. So that might just get me to the next level with my current speaker / amp combination. 
I see you are a Luxman fan having both L-590AXII and 505UXII in separate systems.

A word on the L-590AXII. It is very sensitive to cables. If you want to bring out the best performance from the Luxman, do not skimp on cables particularly interconnects connecting the DAC to the Luxman. Consider balanced connection if your DAC can take balanced. You won’t regret it.
Hegel is midfi compared to Luxman and Gryphon.

The build quality of Hegel is like lo-fi in comparison to the Luxman. Sound quality-wise Luxman is on another level as well especially the 509 and 590 series.