I'm loooking for this system...

I'll second the VonSchweikert recommendation. The VR2 is a good choice for an unobtrusive floorstander or the VR4jr is even better(check their recent review in (Enjoythemusic.com). All VS speakers are warm, detailed, highly musical with wide sweet-spot and great wife acceptance factor because of their gorgeous finishes. VS speakers, however, do need a good 300-500 hours to reach their potential but they are well worth the wait.
Another good choice of a great speaker with the qualities you seek are the Meadowlark line.
McIntosh again makes some fantastic SS gear - both amps and preamps which have a tube-like richness yet is solid state.

Of course, listening preferences are subjective, but these choices could well stop your audiophilitis upgraded fever for good.

I would recommend the Tyler Acoustics Linbrook System (1 piece), paired with a CODA (SS) integrated amp. This combo should run you about 10K in total, and could very well be the keeper system you seek.

---Dave

Thanks. I see the Tyler speakers recommended quite a bit here. Von Schweikert too. The consistency is encouraging. But I don't suppose the Tylers can be demo'ed? Would Mcintosh and Von Schweikert be a good pair? Unfortunately I doubt I can demo them together.

The Essence sound interesting, but having heard that single source drivers can be good at low volumes as I understand it their sweet spot is pretty small. Is that the case here?

reason. The performance to dollar ratio is outstanding. Transients are lightening quick and with excellent clairty and dynamics. Certainly worth seeking a listen if at all possible. You can learn more on the VMPS forum at audiocircle.com. The other suggestions are also no doubt worth hearing. Would like to hear the Von Schweikerts myself. You're the only one who can make the choice is really the bottom line. Be sure to leave some money for room acoustics, well worth every dime and without it you're not hearing your system at it's potential which is often quite an improvement.

The Tylers can be demoed two ways actually... One is through the 21 day home trial (but you have to essentially buy the speakers in order to do it that way, with return privilages... but you have to pay the return shipping costs)... The other is through the Home Audition program. The later is where current owners have volunteered to let you listen to their Tyler speakers in their home. There is a link to the list of owners and their email addresses (and areas of the country where they reside) on the Tyler Acoustics home page at http://www.tyleracoustics.com .

Also, for what it is worth, I like VS speakers a whole lot too... The DB99s mk II impressed me quite a bit at THE Show in Vegas this year... New they go for 10K, but for 5-6K you can get them used... I would rate them as equals with the Tyler Linbrook Signature System I recommended... The only major differences are the DB99s are *very* sensitive (so they are a superb match for SET amps), looks (I don't much care for the DB99s throwback look myself but others love it), and of course the VS cost double the price... :-) Still, even at 10K I think they are a very nice value... I just feel the Tylers are even more so... Your experience may vary... They both are superb performers in their class...

The VS VR-2s and VR-4 Jr.'s, while nice speakers to be sure, are not even close to being in the same league as the two mentioned above, IMO.

---Dave