Weak Link in chain as I upgrade from mid-fi?

To map out an upgrade path 1st consider how much you are thinking to spend through out the trip. Do you plan on selling your existing equipment as they are replaced?

Then think about where to start, source end or speaker end. If source end I would look into a DAC. If speaker end then think of a matching amplifier as well.

I will get back with more thoughts, need to get offline for now.

Good luck in your audio travels enjoy the ride!

Haven't seen any headphone information. I'd add headphones or amp-headphone combo. Other than that, I see you like all of your components

Of the components you list, the Marantz is probably last in line for an upgrade if only being used as a transport.  Head of the line would probably be a stand-alone DAC as an addition, or complete replacement of the Arcam.  Have you considered a Hegel integrated or the Parasound HINT?

op

your system is reasonably well balanced as it is, good job (and good job on asking for advice in a way that is informative to us who can provide it!)

i would say in your case, getting a rel sub to couple with the sf’s would be the biggest single move, then second move would be a better dac - maybe a schiit gumby, mhdt tube dac or chord 2qute/qutest (depending on whether you want more transparency or warmth in your improved sound), third move would be to get a better integrated like a hegel, but the sonic impact would only be felt in this move only if the first two moves were done

good luck, have fun

@twoleftears I liked the Hint but I felt for >2x more money than the Arcam it was mostly just more power, with some additional edge. I preferred the smoother sound of the arcam...knowing that id rather do a more measurable upgrade a couple steps down the line. For that im considering Denafrips Pontus II with Luxman 505uXII, maybe a one box solution if a get a deal on a mid-tier/larger Moon or Hegel. The Luxman I just found a tier above them all.

Personally I found the Arcam a very well done integrated in its price range and really for the purposes of my current speakers everything the SA-30 offers in terms of sound, sans some of the digital convenience features. I do like Hegels but I didn’t really prefer them until the H390 which would be a ’future’ upgrade anyway. The Luxman/DF-P combo was a really special one that rang to me as a ’proper’ step up, and better than the H390 personally after testing on various SF/paradigm/Totem at a local shop. Unfortunately have only heard Moon int’s at another shop that doesn’t sell SF, so on Dynaudio (generally like a lot as well, my second choice of brand behind SF)

EDIT to the above: I realize I may come off as stubborn about the Arcam. Maybe a tad but I sort of saw it as the best ’musical’ sounding all in one int until I spend in the range of 4k+...which I do expect to do, just wanted room to grow. The main thing is I found the parasound really beneficial for forward sounding speakers but I don’t always want to be leaning forward on the edge of my seat which I felt the Hint6 would be like. Hegels less so for sure, and the wonderfully black BG is a huge benefit for sure with them. Once I have floor standings I feel that lvl of readiness to manage low end bass is gonna come in handy

@jjss49 Thanks for that feedback! I wanted to be thorough but also I won't lie...even though I know how modest my setup is, im still a little proud of it the way I was when I got my HD650's and first headphone amp (some fiio or something haha) and wanted to share it with the community. Excited for what I hear and learn as my ear and tastes grow. 

Yeah I actually started loving Paradigm prestige 85fs as the first 'starter' speaker 'wow' moment in a store, and then the founder 100fs...but realized the more I listened the sonetto can have an organic quality that I connect with. I sort of built my system to lean into that and, for now at least, see my future as just refining that sound more and more with better pieces. What you say about starting with sub, THEN amp upgrade like Hegel makes a lot of sense to me. It just didn't seem worth getting 190+ unless they would play more of a role in the bass department. Looking at starting with a REL T/5x for now.

@czarivey Headphone stuff:

Senn 650’s
DCA A2 Noire
Focal Utopia (v1)
CA Andromeda 2020 (these get some unfair hate, imo!)
Grado GS-1000

Desk Amp: Schiit Jot 1 w/dac...hopefully will upgrade this to a smoother Burson sometime soon
Living Room Amp: Bottlehead Mainline1.1