Lugnut,
What a great post. You really stayed on point and gave great advice.
I understand exactly what you say about Linn detractors. I find the same thing with Krell products. I get tired of Krell bashers. I have tried many products, but find the Krell products that I have owned to produce the most musical sound (especially with my big B&W800's) that I have heard. I am using the sound that I get from listening to the SF Symphony where I sit 9th row center as my reference. During the last 18 years, I keep coming back to Krell. ... and the company is great to deal with.
Also, a note to R_f_sayles: My room is almost exactly the same size as yours and with my system, the sound is best with the speakers oriented along the long wall.
Richard