Hi Dinkiboy,
Superlative CD machine and good amp and I always wondered when U would get the urge to change the speaker!!!!
When U came over I had the Sim CDP with my Accuphase E 450 driving the Avalon Ascendants. Now I have the Esoteric XO 5 which I preferred in my home to the DP 400 / 500 and the E450 is replaced by the Accuphase Pre /Power C2110 / 4100.
I also had bought another 450 for my uncle to drive the Thiel Cs2.4. Then changed it to the E460 and believe me the change is dramatic. Cannot say that the 450 is bad, far from it but the 460 is simply stunning as an integrated amp. Back to Mosfets in the integrateds for accuphase and the amp sounds delicate, articulate, controlled and all that U expect BUT WITH LESS BLOOM than the 450.
Maybe with the Morel U need that 'extra full bodied' sound but I would still suggest a listen of the 460.
Now regarding the speaker :- I thought Grattan mentioned that u are keen on the Thiel CS 3.7. That speaker will thrill u for sure and so will the 2.4. Yes some of the Spendor, Harbeth , ATC, Pro Ac book shelves will work but I am not sure that they will totally satisfy plus the fact that all these or most of them are not a handy audition in Bbay so to an extent its a blind buy!!!
Am sure U too are coming to Boomarang for the week end get together. He has the Accuphase 460 with the new 510 cdp and the Esoteric , Sims , Brystons, Arcams etc along with the Fat Lady , Avalon Indras , Thiels speakers and am sure U will find the sound signature U are after. Once that is ascertained U may be able to find a Book shelf that comes relatively close.
I am totally thrilled with the Current combo. No bass overhang that I suffered with the 450 as the Power amp is simply stunning. I have experimented with different thicknesses of 'masks' on the ascendant to get a different response and all I can say is I doubt I am getting out of Avalon in a hurry!!! Maybe an Indra at the max but if not the Ascendant is good.
Maybe U could come over again & hear this set up or I could take you over to friends who have Wilsons or the Sonus or the B&Ws. Incidently I heard the much spoken for 805 Diamond Stand mount and honestly I would not pay the steep price for what it offers.
Lastly tons of 'high end' stand mounts come with huge, ugly , heavy stands as seen from the picture in Unleash 's post and if one can accomodate that & get the wife to accept it , a floor stander may be the better option in most cases!!!!! For ur tastes I think the Thiel 3.7 will work wonders.
Rgds