12K new/used to spend

Zingali 215 for sale now
in your budget.

I'm still glad I chose Aerial 9's over Sophias. I saw a black pair on the 'Gon for around 6K. Mine are stunning in Rosewood and with the dedicated stands, were 10,200 new, full retail. I think they are spectacular.

Rest of gear?

Cary SLP-05 (the new top of the line)
Rowland 201 monoblocks
Modded Absolute Truth 777ES
LinnLP12 decked out
Kubala Sosna Emotion
etc....

So with 40,000 of stuff driving the speakers, I did a lot of shopping for my last speakers (for a while?), and I ended up with the Aerials over

Wilsons
Sonus F
Joseph Audio
Von Schweikert
Proac
Focal JM
Linn
Triad
Thiel

and a few others. Lots were great, but the Aerials played loud, soft, big, small, chamber, rock, etc... with equal aplomb. CHeck out a pair.

I am not affiliated with Aerial!

Rich

Wilson Benesch ACT speakers (current model). Extremely high-tech, extremely beautiful, and amazing sound. Used for anywhere from $9K-12K.

Excellent WAF and not LARGE speakers at all. They look amazing.

There were a couple of pairs just recently listed on 'Gon. They don't come along every day.

I absolutely love mine.

Great review from Stereophile, September 2004: http://www.stereophile.com/thefifthelement/904fifth/index.html

Regards,
George Ajazi

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will check them out. Anyone heard the Usher Dancers or the Krell Resoultion 2's?

I own their little brothers the Shahinian ARC's.
As you read in the reviews the speaker has been around for awhile.
You'll be hard pressed to find a used pair for sale. For some reason no one ever seems to be parting with them.

You're best bet is to contact Shahinian direct.
They have few dealers.
http://www.venushifi.com/ is one of the very few.