Speaker Choice

If you can stretch or find a deal the Magico S5, Joseph Audio Perspective, Vivid Audio B1, Thiel 3.7, or Revel Ultimate Studio2 should scratch your itch for detail. More in your price range are the Thiel 2.7, Vandersteen Quatro, Usher CP 8571DMD, Vivid V1.5, Joseph Audio Pulsar. Other brands to consider may be Avalon, Audio Physic, Gallo, and Marten. Lots of others but that's just off the top of my head. The best thing to do obviously is to listen to anything within a reasonable distance to see what you really like and gain perspective. Best of luck and enjoy the journey.

Great system you have begun to assemble. Love the McIntosh line. Speakers I have heard that you may find of interest are the Magico and Klipsch line. The VSA line I find quite appealing with my MA6600.

In deed enjoy the trek to your sonic bliss. Post your results.

Yea know what you mean about the B&W's - never understood why people go ga ga over them.

I am not too fussed about Magico either although I would say they are better. Certainly worth a listen though if you can wrangle one.

You don't say where you are but just in case you are in Australia then I would suggest Lenehan Audio ML2 Limited Edition - but if you are in Aus you probably know about that anyway - they have been discussed a lot in the forum here in Aus. The guy that makes them built one as a special order and before it shipped a few people including me heard it, jaws dropped and he had 8 orders in a couple of weeks, including mine - stunning speaker - but only if you are in Aus - each speaker including stands weighs 80kg so the cost of shipping will be a killer - and you will have no way of hearing it.

The one I suspect you would have access to is the Rockport Mira 2 - stunning speaker as well and most definitely you should wrangle a listen.

Also heard good things about the Pro Ac Carbon 2's but from what I hear the Rockports have the edge.

Thanks
Bill