Start over--HiFi rig ---clean slate

The thing is there are many "stellar" speakers of all designs, sizes, costs. At least when matched/integrated into the listening space well. After that, much is about personal preferences.

Getting that good integration into the listening space is most often the problem.

Finding good performing products is not so hard. Getting them all to work together optimally is.

The thing that matters most is not speakers or electronics. It is the room and its acoustic qualities. Equipment quality or budget make little difference if the listening room is wrong.

You're so right Jafant.
Straightwire Maestro - the ONLY constant audio gear on my set-up for 20+ years! They replaced a rather expensive pair of JennaLabs and there is no turning back. Affordable, transparent and uncolored! Built to last a lifetime....or two.
Everything else has come and gone :-)

"Finding good performing products is not so hard. Getting them all to work together optimally is."

This is true, and the reason having fewer variables makes it easier. Instead of having to match interconnects, DACs, preamps, amps, speakers, speaker cables, power cords, etc etc - all in one units like the Wadia means you're just matching speakers, speaker wire, and the all in one electronics.

in this age of few high end stores and even fewer home auditions, removing variables makes the task much easier. And at least with the Wadia, no compromise in sound is required - quite the opposite.

It is a sound strategy to buy components that are more integrated our of the box if one aspires to top notch performance but is not certain about how to mix and match to achieve it.

A good modern example is the new Dynaudio Xeo product line, where everything needed for top notch performance is integrated right into the speakers.