Start over--HiFi rig ---clean slate

Jeff-

it sounds like (no pun) that you have found your future system.
Kiko65- StraightWire is a natural, sonic match for Rogue gear. Even the entry-level cables sound great- I was impressed. This is a wonderful example of not spending big $$$$ on cables/cords! Happy Listening guys.

Classical music-Lifelike, easy. (Someone else foots this bill!)
JBL DD6700 (rolled of at about 90 hz) 1 pair
Revel Rythm Sub (blended just right) (maybe 2- softly?)
Appropriate DEQX System (the Revel's network can be bypassed)
Spectral Reference Preamp & Amp. (about 300 horsepower)
Spectral 4000 Ref CD player.
Berkely Alpha Dac Reference & Berkeley USB
Best Esoteric player/dac (if only allowed 1 source this is it)
Oppo BDP 105D DARBEE Blu Ray/DVD player
MIT Reference power cords and I/C's!
Some Equitech Balanced Power & Shunyata conditioning!
I'm in heaven :-) What a nice dream! Anything missing?

I started over several months ago after my system (all Cary Audio even speakers) were fried in a power surge.

I opted for simplicity since I didn't have time to do lots of attempted system matching etc. Purchased the Wadia Intuition all in one 180 watt amp, preamp, and up converting DAC. Then Tyler Acoustic speakers here on Audiogon. Set me back less than $5k for everything and in many ways sounds better than my previous $20k system.

Ok it was a home theater setup but it also was Cary gear and sounded very very good in 2 channel.

One good power chord for everything and no interconnects. System comes already matched and sounds fantastic. I hear there's a Nuforce similar to the Wadia that does the same thing for closer to $2k. Supposedly sounds great as well.

By the way, my new system confirms once again (to me) that having stellar electronics matters more than having stellar speakers. As long as the speakers are good enough to be neutral and transparent, your big gains in sound quality come more through your electronics. Of course this is truest with somewhat limited budgets.

The thing is there are many "stellar" speakers of all designs, sizes, costs. At least when matched/integrated into the listening space well. After that, much is about personal preferences.

Getting that good integration into the listening space is most often the problem.

Finding good performing products is not so hard. Getting them all to work together optimally is.