I would recommend the SF Concertino first. Available for around $7-8 hundred brand new via Audiogon, or the VA Haydns's. Quite a difference between those two, and the others you listed.
About a month ago I picked up a couple of sets of Aurios 1.2 isolation bearings, and they have been one of the best additions to my system. More immediately noticable than almost any component or cable change that I have tried.
Clearer top end, more bass definition, and blacker background...
Unless you have a lot of room, I would suggest bookshelf speakers up front as well. And even if you did have a lot of room I would still recommend the bookshelfs up front at that price point. If you have listened to the Polks, and they are the sound you like I see nothing wrong with them.
I think you're experiencing the limits of your speakers more than anything else. All speakers can't play at reference levels. They start becoming compressed and harsh.
Don, While I would disagree with your assessment, I don't think it's really important. We all have differing opinions on sound, and what's most important is what satisfies you.
I would think that the new room would be too small for the OM-9's. Floorstanders typically need a good amount of room to do their thing correctly, and you might find that your new room doesn't allow them to reach their full potential, as opposed to a bookshelf model.
Cables or anything cannot be judged by how much it costs to make. Value or worth can only be judged by the individual, and what he feels it does to his system.
I would choose B&W over Paradigm any day of the week. Just given Paradgm's past attempts, I can't say I would trust them to come out with a competitive offering in that price range. With that said, I would reserve final judgement until after I heard them.
I would agree that 804's in the rear would seem like such a huge waste to me. There just isn't enough meaningful information sent back there for it to be worth it, and that includes DVD, DVD-Audio, or SACD. More and more multi-channel SACD's are now starting to shift the focus of sound to the...
Right now he has a couple of Wax in auction http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc....35470&auc&3&4&
If you win the auction, even though they may only be 10 ft. cables you can pay a little extra and get the longer lengths and still save a ton.
Paul,
I would also try www.audiogon.com Adam at Zu always has an auction running there for the Julians or Wax, and they usually go for about 50% off retail, but with their trade-in policy they will give you 50% toward another pair, no matter what you paid for them. I won an auction for some...
With all due respect Lance, that link that you provided has to be one of the worst in proving your beliefs, as it doesn't prove anything. As far as trolling? I think you are. Paul didn't ask for opinions on whether cables make a difference.
OUCH! Those runs are rather long. I would take a look at some Acoustic Zen Satori, or perhaps some Zucable Wax. You can usually get a 30 day trial. www.acousticzen.com www.zucable.com
If you have the opportunity in the future I would consider dramatically shortening the distance necessary...
Just my opinion, but I would stay away from the Nordost, as they tend to accentuate the top end, and Revel already has a lively top end. If you can audition them that would be the best. Since your budget is rather generous, what lengths are we covering for the front, and the center?
Check out www.audioprism.com they have a product or two that is supposed to quiet noise coming from refrigerators, dimmers, etc..
http://www.audioprism.com/quietline.html
Phil,
Try disconnecting your SAT cable from your system. There is a ground breaker that you can buy from your SAT company or local Hi-Fi store that could be your answer. It worked for me, and it's only about $8.