[soundboy]

Which B&W's were you looking at?

I have auditioned the B&W DM303, which retails for US$300.00/pair, and I found them underwhelming. They were powered by Marantz electronics and source was a Rotel CD player. I wanted to like the 303, but it sounded dead to me.

The older 302 was much, MUCH better.

Another speaker you may want to keep an eye on is the Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo One. I read nothing but great reviews about it, and I actually considered buying its predecessor, the Aegis One. But it was hard finding a local dealer. Very, VERY impressive speakers for US$300.00/pair.

 

[D-EJ915]

Try using B&Ws with Sony receivers, the B&Ws take more likeing to them than marantz.

 

[Jasper994]

but then you'd have to like Sony...

 

[D-EJ915]

you could always get the TA-E1/TA-N1 combo, and completely rape your friend's 4000 dollar marantz setup, it'd sound so pathetic compared to the SACD series setup it wouldn't even be funny, but it'd cost like 6000 based on prices I've seen...