I used to sell all of these products and can say that the Paradigms are great for the money. I think they are one of the best values out there. But we are talking about home theater right? I will say that you are throwing way to much amp at them though. They are meant for 95% home theater and would not use them as an audio only sytem ever. I would still highly recommend them for an entry level HT. Paradigm has wonderful speakers all the way to the top and would choose them over B&W any day. Don't get me wrong, I love the B&W Nautilus line, but would take the Paradigm Signature line any day over them. Or buy the Reference line at less than a third the price of the B&W's and throw the cash at something else upline of them.
I know this is a little off topic from your original question, but in Headfi you must cover your ass or the thread turns into one big mess. What I would suggest is looking at a PDR8 or 10 depending on room size and a set of ADP-150 surrounds with a CC150 center and which ever of the Monitor series that tickle your fancy for the fronts. The Mini Monitors are a great value, but the monitor 5 is my favorite in the line. It will cost you more than double for the speakers, but it will give you quadruple the sound! This is the system that we ran in my house for home theater powered by NAD. I think the Rotel is nice gear, but the NAD is more my flavour.
If this surround sounds out of your budget, you may want to reconsider the Rotel which will be stangled by the little Cinema 70's. Money is best spent on speakers first in a HT set up. With the ever changing surround technology, you can by twice the amp(and bells and whistles) next year for the same price as the one you are looking at this years. Good speakers however are a better investment. Buy once is what I always say! Also, the Monitor series from Paradigm is into a new version this year with a redesigned crossover that is a marked improvement over the previos generation.
I hope I answered more questions than I created. Another tip: If the retail price on speakers is $1000, it is very likely that the mark up is over $400. Shop around and then hit the place that sells everything you want and tell them simply, "I will buy right now and not waste your time if you give me the best deal possible." Most salesman would rather make a little bit of money quickly than waste half a day with someone sitting on a fence. Those cinema 70 kits are around 100% or 50 points on mark up. The reason why I mention this is that you may be able to get the Monitor set-up I mention for only a little more than the little guys. You just may feel a little guilty when you leave. I wouldn't feel guilty though because almost every successful salesman is trying to get you to pay as much as possible. It is a game for them as well as a career. If he gets you at full pop the first thing he will do is wait until you leave and then high five his buddy and say, "I got them at full pop!" Then he will get his calculator out and see how much YOU just made him. This is why I had to leave commisioned sales. I made good money and slept well at night, but the other guys hated me for not having to cheat people to make good bucks. Makes for a bad work environment. Good luck with your shopping and make sure that the Monitors are the NEW version, not old stock. The crossover and related components is a BIG deal.
Any saleman are welcome to PM me with their blasting remarks. No one else has to hear complaints!
David
