Daedalus Athena

Jazzdoc,
You summed up very well the essential difference between the Devore and Daedalus.  Both are very good and of course a matter of taste.  I find Daedalus generally a bit more authoritative and dynamic in character. System synergy is always a factor. Daedalus compared to a Wilson or Magico? Purely a preference call as one would expect. Daedalus Ulysses (I'm more familiar with this model) has a natural sound/organic character.  Magico based on the several models I've heard are IMO  analytical.  Many would say they're simply accurate, neutral and very resolved.  We all have some degree of bias. I consistently prefer natural to an  ultra resolved type of presentation. Undoubtedly YMMV.
Charles 

Hello Melbguy1,
I've heard the Magico in  a audio dealer showroom and CES x4, RMAF x1 and Axpona. I've listened to the Q 3, Q 5  and the Q7 as well as the S1, S3  and S5. The S5  driven by the Absolare Passion Signature amplifier was the best sounding Magico demonstration I've heard. I didn't care for the Q models driven by the Soulution amplifiers.  In fact the Q range was better when paired with the Constellation amplifiers. 

I don't doubt what you say and I'll concede that you have more intimate experience with Magico than I.  I can only report on what I've actually heard. I feel the Q series is more analytical in character than their S series.  No question that electronics, cabling and acoustic room treatment can certainly impact the end result to some extent. 
Charles 

If I were to go Magico the S5 MK II would be my choice and tailor a system around it as melbguy1 describes. Of the speakers discussed success can be achieved with each.

I’d take the Daedalus and match it with a top tier moderate power SET or class A push pull tube amplifier, all out quality of watts over quantity. That’s me, other pathways could be equally  sucessful for sure.
Charles

Thom,
You've made some astute comments regarding the Daedalus.  I've have listened to the Athenas only once but have heard the Ulysses on 3 occasions  (twice with tube amps and once with the SS Mod wright). This speaker clearly was better sounding with the tubes driving it. Superior naturalness, emotional involvement, musical ebb and flow . In summary the presentation was noticeably more musically convincing/realistic. Thus my earlier post recommending high "quality " tube amplifiers of low to moderate power. 

Thom this just means that we probably share similar taste. Without question there are listeners who will definitely prefer a transistor amplifier  (I get the impression that the builder himself likely prefers SS power). So once again it always boils down to a matter of taste. I agree also with the preference towards higher efficiency easier load speakers,  they just make more sense to me. I appreciate the input and perspective of all of the participants here.
Charles