Looking for Advice on Focal Speakers

@mtbiker29 Ok I think I understand. I'll probably stick with the Aria in that case. So does the dedicated integrated amp replace the Marantz or Parasound or both? Thanks for all the help with this stuff.

@suboost - I think @mtbiker29 and I are thinking along similar lines.  My thought process was that if you think the Focal 936 is a significant upgrade over your current speakers and you're setup for both stereo and home theater that the Kanta's would be a mismatch with your current setup.

I've heard my 836v speakers connected to everything from an Onkyo receiver all the way up to Krell monoblocks that were intended for the Grande Utopia speakers.  I'd have no issue with upgrading my integrated amplifier knowing that my speakers still have more to give.

I do generally subscribe to the theory of buying the best speakers you can afford assuming that you love their sound.  You can then upgrade your equipment to maximize that sound.  A caveat to this theory is that it's a waste of money to have speakers that are far superior to the rest of your system unless you have a plan to align things over time.  My current system is approaching the limit for the amount of money that I'm willing to invest in this hobby and my setup limitations wouldn't allow me to truly benefit from significantly better equipment.

@mceljo So if I stick with the Arias should I still consider upgrading the amp(s)? Will I hear a difference? I mostly want to upgrade the speakers, because they sound better overall and the Klipsch speakers are very fatiguing. The Arias I auditioned were so smooth and not fatiguing at all.

@suboost - My setup uses a home theater receiver in parallel with my pathos integrated.  Both amplifiers are connected to my speakers through a custom switch to make it as convenient as possible.

A better setup would be to have an integrated amplifier with a home theater bypass feature that allowed it to act as the power amplifier for the home theater receiver while also being totally independent for stereo listening.

Before I got the Pathos, I tried to go this route with a Cambridge Audio 840A.  It didn't work will with my receiver and I didn't like it's sound.  After getting the Pathos, I tried again with a Krell S-300i, but after rolling Mullard tubes the Pathos was clearly superior to my ear so I sold the Krell.  I'm at the point where I'd have to spend more than I'm willing to spend to get a better sounding integrated amplifier with home theater bypass.  At some point I may consider getting some small front channel speakers to allow me to complete separate things, but that's a clunky solution with low WAF.

@suboost - I think you should get the Arias and try to just enjoy them with the rest of your setup.  I would expect them to benefit from better amplification, but I'm a huge fan of maximizing your enjoyment by listening to them with your current systems and only considering an upgrade if and when you feel that there's a flaw.  There's always going to be something better, so that shouldn't really be a factor.  Focus on your enjoyment.

I don't know anyone personally that has a system that I like better than mine, so as long as I don't visit the local shops I can stay content with my system.  I've already exceed where I ever expected to be with audio equipment, so just try to focus on the listening part of the hobby.