8-10k budget suggestions please

One reason you may be getting varying opinions of the B&Ws is that they've made many different speakers over the last 30 years or more with the 804 numbers.  It's unlikely all the generations were voiced exactly the same.  If you have really early ones, you may need to replace surrounds, ferrofluid, or crossover caps eventually.

If I were you, I'd get tickets to a concert or play in Houston, book a hotel room, take your wife on a well-earned night out, and spend the next day listening to some contemporary setups.  That'll help orient you a bit & give you a chance to see if there's a dealer you want to wok with.  If your wife is like mine, she'll love you for the night out, but might find other things to do for all or part of the next day.

For 7k, the KEF LS60 are getting strong reviews and gives you streaming, amplification, & a new set of speakers

Hey guys, thanks for all the help.  I'm pulling the trigger on the KRELL.  

Petaluman,  that is a great idea!  I will definitely do that as I move through this journey but the Krell makes sense to me.  I listen to rock, some country, and that is about it.  I have the little LS Kef's in my living room and love how easy they are with everything built in.  They sound great, but nothing close to my B&W's.  At least to my ears.  

any suggestions on cabling guys?

have you listened to the Krell or just pulling the trigger? For 8K, separates make more sense (as I read, not that I ever tried)

just pulled the trigger.  I will have this amp for 30 years.  Its everything I need right now.  Maybe one day Ill go with Harbeth's and tube separates!

'Grats, OP - you should love the Krell, and it may very well last you the 30 years you expect.  I'm not an "all-in" cable type of guy, so I'll defer to others who have stronger opinions on how to string up your components...