Bought the Contenders. I mated them up with a Cary sli 80 integrated and an Oppo bpd95. Switched out the kt88 tubes to kt120s. Wow, never expected to out do my "reference" but these babies sing. The tone and imaging on the contenders are about the best ive heard. many of my friend with much more expensive systems have come over and left amazed.Check out the Nolas....you wont be disappointed thanks, brian