Need a system for Chamber music--ideas?

Hi Brownsfan, you are facing an interesting dilemma. I believe you will be hard pressed to find a dynamic speaker in that price range that will satisfy your need for correct timbre, coherence, and ability to throw a convincing stage with smaller ensembles; specially after living with Maggies. The last requirement is, ironically, and as you have found out, at least as difficult to achieve as with large scale works. In a string quartet recording, for instance, the proper spatial relationship between, and size of, each instrument is imperative for the music to sound realistic; often, the first violin (closer to the mic) ends up sounding as large as the cello.

All bias aside, I own what I feel is the best chamber music speaker that I have ever heard, the Stax F-81 electrostats; incredibly beautiful and true timbre and coherence, and sound staging to die for. They also, unlike the Maggies, don't need to be played very loudly at all to sound alive. They are, however, a brutal load for most amplifiers (although yours should do just fine), and bottom end weight can be lacking for piano recordings. A properly integrated, and fast, sub can correct this problem. This is a long- discontinued product, and I bring it up for two reasons. Agon member "Kentaja" (no affiliation), runs an outfit devoted to restoring Quads and Stax (Electrostatic Solutions?) recently had a completely restored pair listed here. If this is something that insterests you, you might want to contact him. Quads are another possibility with a lot of the same attributes, somewhat better bottom end, but not quite as magical through the mids, and would probably do best with a small tube amp. Good luck.

Frogman, Thanks. I knew I was asking for a lot, but I thought taking faithful reproduction of Mahler out of the picture might simplify things, though doing the Shostakovich piano quintet right is no small feat. I hadn't thought of quads. That might be interesting to try. But you know, I remember some pretty convincing recordings of piano trios (yes, a much easier ensemble to record) with my old ADS 570s back in the early 80's. Convincing with respect to stage if not dynamics and timber. In this day of 20-40K monitors, I thought we might have some interesting trickle down by now. I could probably have the Pacifica live in my living room for less. I need to start sitting dead center first row and close my eyes to get that reality check. I usually sit just to the left of the first violin, about three rows back, where I face the cello straight on.
Elizabeth, it's not really resolution that is the problem. The system resolution is quite good actually, and I think my power conditioning is pretty good although I have a ways to go on the PC's. I will take your suggestion as a reminder to start upgrading the PC's and I might get some help there. The problem is that because of my room size and the fact that the maggies are out 5 ft from the back wall, I'm listening near field. Quartet seating has the first and second violins together on the left, sitting only 2-3 ft apart., with 2nd violin seated pretty much behind the first with only a slight left to right offset as a microphone would see them. Even in a live performance, I need some help from my eyes to know who is playing what. Much of the violin's range is in the ribbon and much of it is in the midrange, which inevitably gives some smearing of a violin placed either left or right of center stage. A dead center violin, as in a Bach partita, does not suffer from this effect and reproduces as a well placed dead center image. Maggies inherently are at a disadvantage because of their design compared to point source types. If I were in a larger room, I think it would be better, but still probably not ideal.

Monitors and tubes are well known for superior spacial presentations. I was hoping someone had the magic combo for chamber music.

Have you actually heard the bright line between 1st and 2nd strings on another setup and not yours, with the same recording? It may be just the source recording you have and not really your system.

Try some different recordings of the same music from different labels to see who better captures the qualities you seek.

Brownsfan,
In your listed price range (used) I`d suggest the Coincident Triumph II(very efficient). Driven by their Frankenstein 300b SET(or a used wavelength Cardinal for another example).I`m primarily a jazz listener but also getting into classical music. Chamber music is very realistic(seperation,space,nuance and tone) in my system(I`m loving it).I have the large Coincident speakers but their monitors would suit your desires fine IMO.I`ve really developed a fondness for Mstislav Rostropovich`s cello playing. I can listen to him for hours.
Regards,