Time to upgrade - need advice

What speakers are you using? Amp and speakers is
very important.I have learned that the amp, should
be able to drive and match your speaker nicely, and
without a sweat, I did the pre and cd upgrade before
the amp, I did not get the result I am looking for,
until I replaced the amp.Why dont you try to audition
cdp, and, pre and amp one at a time?This is a lot
of work, but thats the way to do it.

My speakers are B&W N804 & ASW800.

Your speakers are fine and can handle much much higher grade electronics.

An upgrade to me is not just going to a slightly better Rotel. The next step is lower priced gear by major audiophile brands like Conrad Johnson, Blue Circle, McCormick, YBA, Bryston, or higher end Creek, etc, etc, etc.

Get away from the Rotel its not HIFI gear its MID FI

Thanks for your responses. My budget can not afford $3000 preamps and amps - although I do wish it could. I am looking for solid state vs tubes - just my choice. I don't consider Rotel MidFi - Denon, Pioneer, Marantz, Onkyo, etc is MidFi to me.