Downgrade to Phantom

[IanG-UK]

A lot of people in different forums have tested them and think they are not as good as their current system, which range from 2k to 100k.
So it's very difficult to tell you.

YOU need to test them.

Don't trust anyone on this matter. You ears are not the same as mine, or your neighbor.

I do think they are very good. I have tested them multiple times.
And I can't tell you if it is as good as a more expensive setup. But I like them. Which is all what matters to me.

But if I need to give an opinion, I think it is worth a 5k setup, not necessarily more. BUT :
1 - it is pretty with a good design
2 - my wife is happy
3 - it doesn't fill my living room with big ugly boxes and cables

I can't tell that with any other 5k+ setup.

Yes, you definitely need to try them at home.

Like Frank ("F1eng"), I've had a Devialet 800s for four years with high end speakers (though not at Frank's level) and now also have Dialog and Phantoms.

Frank uses his conventional and Phantom systems predominantly with his CD transport; whereas for both I use my MacBook Pro source.

For both of us, the Phantom gives us the musical clues we listen for to make the experience enjoyable; and we hear no weaknesses of any materiality.

Maybe this would this be the same for you, but maybe not.

I'd also suggest that my experience in being so positive about the Phantoms, having used Expert 800/Magicos (which are better, nevertheless), might be a more comfortable experience than had I only used Phantoms and then later tried Expert 800/Magicos. 

Good luck!