Upgrade from Spendor SP 1/2, what's next?

Thanks for the responses so far. I would peg budget at no more that $5k and I'm a big believer in buying used (which is the best part of audiophile disease--let someone else take the first hit on the depreciation, hehe).

Like I said, I do love the Spendors so it's gonna take something spectacular to impress me. The Spendors were rather difficult to place in the room, however. I think the 9/1s might be too big.

I think maybe Mlsstl has hit the nail on the head. That is, I'm not sure what I'm after because the speakers I have are the only ones I've spent a lot of time listening to. None of my friends have systems to speak of. I guess what I'm hoping is that the suggestions I get here will help me decide where to begin so I can narrow the auditioning down to a reasonable number.

In terms of placing the Spendors, I had to move them to the long wall. There is no effectively no side wall interference. They are nearly 3 feet from the back wall. I like what the Spendors provide in terms of mellow midrange, but I could go for a bigger sound--a wider soundstage, I think. Sometimes, too much of the sound is still trapped in the speaker.

I will try some auditioning. I suspect that I might find the new amplifier (which I've not yet received) may also have a significant impact. Who knows, maybe it doesn't get any better than the SP 1/2's--that's not a bad thing!

Goheelz, thanks for the subwoofer suggestion. I should have added that I have a REL Strata II.

Thanks for all the excellent advice that I have come to know from A'gon.

These SP 1/2's are originals too (not E, not R, etc.). I bought them used in 1999. I had first heard Spendors about 10 years prior to that (no idea what model they were, but I think they were a sealed model).

I'm excited to see what the new amp (Cayin a88t) will do for them with the upped wattage (over the Cayin TA-30).

Will keep you posted.