No...I sure want to....but I thought the Magico Q5's would be another option. They've certainly received high praise and there is a AA member who loves them. I do know an AA member with the Rockports (the fellow I bought my Classe amp from) and he's had a heck of a time finding an amp to pair them with. Ironically, he sold his B&W's and Classe amp and bought the Rockports and an MC452 and he's not keen on the combo. He's now trying ARC, Pass, etc. and even mentioned to me that he now wonders how the Classe and Rockports would sound together. You heard them at RMAF and loved them I presume?

Ivan - what amps were used when you heard the Rockports? Maybe the Plinius would be a winning combo....

If this is another reference system, what about the magicio Q7. $160k is insane but the reviews say its worth it.

Although the Rockport Altair's are my personal favourite.

Ivan....It's time to climb the summit & think Swedish - Swiss cheese. Here we go as a foundation to work with:

FM Acoustics FM-1811 amplifier(s)
FM Acoustics FM-268 Linestage
FM Acoustics FM-223 Phono Linearizer

Marten Coltrane Supreme Loudspeakers

http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...ne-supreme.jpg

http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...ing-1811-1.jpg
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...nning-268g.jpg


http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...ning-223-1.jpg

I found great synergy with tube preamps and the Plinius SA-Reference. I am currently using my Ayon CD-5S as a tube preamp for them.

If the speakers you are considering aren't very sensitive, the ARC Reference should work too (I found that the combo of gain on the Plinius + my 90dB speakers too high to work well with the ARC but may consider using an inline attenuator that I was reading about).

Attenuators

Rothwell In-Line Attenuators by George Pappas

Yes, Plinius.

How about a couple of these beauties to start with...:scratch2:

Accuphase A-200

http://www.accuphase.com/model/photo/a-200.jpg

Steve... I really have no desire to build another Reference System. IMO I have already achieved that with my Aida's & Burmester.

The new system's goal is to build an outstanding rig and keep it under $100k

My experience has proven this to be a popular price point.

Those A-200's are supposed to be sweet amps. :drool:

It's funny, I'm drawn to gold/champagne colored gear. I wonder what that means :dunno:

My mother said never call a girl that, it begins with an s & has a t at the end Joe :D:thumbsup: