Which $7000 speakers to ask Santa?

Avantgarde Unos go for that.

Well I've currently owned a pair of Verity Audio Parsifal Encore's for about 15 months and I have no urge to 'upgrade'. That being said, if you feel that your room is already on the warm side and seek a neutral/revealing speaker, I would cross the Parsifal off of your list.
It is the sweetest, purest sounding speaker I have ever heard.

When I first put it into my system I was a bit dissapointed that it lacked some air or life that I heard at the dealers. I wound up changing all of my cables, and now, for the first time in my life silver ribbon cables do not sound bright, harsh or edgy to me. They sound wonderful, and they breath a tremendous amount of life into the Parsifal's and allow them to really sing and be heard.
My system together sounds incredible, but I would say that the Parsifal is definitely on the warm side of neutral.

As always, YMMV.

John

If WAF is not an issue, for $7k, go for Maggie 3.6s and Halo JC-1s or Bryston 4b SST.

well then...if you are determined to spend the money..gradient revolutions...or find used avalons, hales, or chapmans, and spend some of the money on music or others.

My choices in that price range would include the Avalon Ascent Mk II (which I haven't heard in many years but is still memorable) and the Vandersteen Quatro (which I have *never* heard, but I love the 3A Signature).