[eimaj]

If you are spending that much on a killer room and equipment, why not step up the speakers as well. Try out the PSB Synchrony's, Paradigm Signatures, or even B&W, DynAudio or Sonus Faber. Fairly expensive when you go a step above the Imagine's, but will probably bring about your greatest change other than going separates.

As for separates, there is always the Marantz av7005 mated with the mm8003 8ch. amp or the mm7055 5ch. and 7025 2ch. for a more flexible amp structure (better for 2 ch music I would imagine), or Onkyo separates that look promising as well. http://www.avguide.com/article/onkyo-announces-thx-certified-av-separates

 

[eimaj]

If you are in Alberta, there are 2 stores you should go to in Edmonton. The Gramophone deals with Dynaudio (my brother who is an Audiophile to the nth degree with a modest budget is looking at some of these), and Audio Ark with Sonus Faber (another my brother is looking at) and Paradigm Signature/Studios, and both stores have listening rooms.

If you are inclined to the "Canadian" Sound, which I am a big fan of for speakers, audition the Signatures or Studios, the S2 or Studio 20's for a bookshelf http://www.paradigm.com/products/paradigm-reference/bookshelf/signature-series/signature-s2, http://www.paradigm.com/products/paradigm-reference/bookshelf/studio-series/studio-20, or the S6 or Studio 60's for a tower http://www.paradigm.com/products/paradigm-reference/floorstanding/signature-series/signature-s6, http://www.paradigm.com/products/paradigm-reference/floorstanding/studio-series/studio-60. I have the v.1 Studio 20's and they still impress me even after having them for over ten years!

My Dilemma, A friend of mine is looking to go to Dyn's from his v.5 Studio 100's and has offered them to me for $1500, but if I go that route, I'm pretty sure my Marantz 6003 avr will struggle powering those beasts so it is not only the speakers but the additional $1000 I would have to spend to get the Marantz mm7025 to power them properly...AND I would have to get a matching centre ch as I have Energy RC's across the front...ARRRGH!!!