Bookshelf Recommendations

Totems are gréât...owned a lot of them!!  Ultimately, they are limited dynamically except for the Wind.  You really should consider JBL from Music Direct.  60 day trial...in your own room and system.  Did I mention 12”’s?

I’ve been looking at the LS50’s, Wharfdale Denton 80th, ATC SCM7’s and ELAC UB5’s, but I’d really need to AB them against my Jamo Coronet IV’s, that I bought used for $40. I’m running these 2.1 with a 10" sub and get all the SPL I can want in this 8x12 room, though a Denon 3802 AVR.

Well, just pulled the trigger on a set of blem UB5's, so now I'll be able to compare them with my Jamos and some KEF IQ1's I have.

Haven’t any experience with Carver gear, but have had some CJ preamps. Having said that, you could spend a lot more money, but I’m not sure you’ll get better bang-for-the buck than with Dali. I have Zensor 7’s and Zensor 1’s, and I still find myself chuckling at how much “music” I get out of these “budget” speakers. Others may scoff, but I frankly don’t give a firm brown stool what they have to say. My ears know what they know. (Your ears may vary)

Best of luck

The Music Room has a pair of B&W 685 S2’s [with stands] @$564 + shipping. Liking what I read about the Dynaudio Focus 140’s, too. Pair of the latter currently on eBay, though they’ll likely climb beyond $700 before the dust settles. Still have the Totem Rainmakers, though I’d need to pretty much block out an entire day for pickup. Maybe I’ll just renew my membership to local NPR station so they’ll end the Spring pledge drive, and wait for a "can’t refuse" deal to come along...