Hardware from Audio Research and speakers from Magnepan have had a long and happy relationship. Before they "broke-up" and Wendell went from AR to M, this was a combo that was even marketed together.
I have this system, and I have yet to hear one that is substantially better no matter HOW MUCH MONEY you spend.
Both companies have much newer products today, and I am not saying they retained their synergistic qualities, but you owe it to yourself to LISTEN to a system composed of those items that is set up correctly in a room that is properly configured before making a buy decision.
It may not be your cup of tea, but at least you were exposed to as good as sound system as you will ever find and can decide what you like and don't like about it before moving on to whatever YOU like IN YOUR ROOM, of course.
Cheers!