$8,000 budget--Need help


I am purchasing a new stereo system. I have a $8,000 budget to spend on speakers and equipment. I am working with a room filled with travertine that is 35 ft. wide by 55 ft.long with 18 foot ceilings. I am going to the CES Show in Las Vegas for my evaluation. One speaker line I am looking at is the Von Schweikert VR4 SR. Can anyone recommend speakers and equipment for my comparison? I listen to all types of music; soft/hard rock, pop, oldies, classical, jazz, etc. I enjoy listening to music that is very defined and realalistic. I do not mind used equipment.

Thank you in advance!
sprinzer
what I am about to say is very controversial. Do you have a significant mumber of cd's or vinyl albums? that should determine whether you want a turntable or cd player.

the most significant mistake people make is to fall in lvoe with a particular component and then surround it with inferior components because thier budget was exhausted.

I would start like the design of a car .think of the speakers like a suspension and the amp/preamp like the engine. If you are going cd you should strongly consider an integrated amp or reciever. If you are going vinyl then you need an amp preamp combo.
Most people never get the most out of thier spekers because they don't have the proper associated equipment.
I beleive you should start with a mini monitor like the Epos.follow that up with sometihng like a cj pv10 and cj tube amp mv60. follow that with rega turntable and arm and one of the cheaper cartridges like sumiko or grado. Definitely stay away from expensive cable. generic will do just fine.
if you are committed to the vr4' realize you are going to have to spend ten to fifiteen thousand dollars in assoiciated equipment(new). at least half of that should go to electronics. if you buy quality electronics you can keep them for a long time.
You've gotta help me here...

What home has a 1700 sq. ft. living room with 18' ceilings?

And you want to use 8K speakers?

I need to understand this one.
"What home has a 1700 sq. ft. living room with 18' ceilings?"

HeHe, thats what I was thinking...my whole house will fit into that room.

Dave
The room................ GOOD GOD!!!! It sounds like a giant mausoleum. I would think you are going to need 8k in room treatments to make anything sound good.