Starting From Scratch - What would you do?

As the posts above have aked, what is your budget, musical tastes and room size.

You might want to look at the Pathos integrated to match with the Totems. I have heard the combo several times and was very impressed but, might not be enough power for your room.

room size is about 12' x 22'
price range 15k - 20k
musical tastes - soft rock, jazz, classical

Will not play at high volume - small kids in the house.

I think the KW 500 set might be the way to go. Most impressive specs and flexibility for future speakers.

I'd find the best speakers I could for the money and your room and then build my system around them. If the speakers are efficient then tube power. If inefficient then solid state or more expensive tube gear. I think the speakers are the most important part of the system so I'd figure that out first. Time to audition. It can be maddening :-)

Avalon Accents? ( Avalon's first 2-way) $2300-3000 used
Ayre V-3 amp $1300 or an MFA D-75 if you want tubes
Ayre preamp, pick-um
Well Tempered Turntable, your favorite cartridge
Best Cardas wire you can afford used
Most any CD player through a Reflection Audio modded Benchmark converter or an Ayre player.

This is the gear I wish I had started with. The most significant upgrade to my system were my Eidolons, yes, everything in the chain is important but it wasn't till the Eidolons arrived that my system instantly became musical at any volume level. I don't own any Ayre equipment but everyone who I've suggested it to is extremely happy with it.

I agree with the post about beginning with the speakers. If you are not happy with those you will not be happy with the rest of the system. Begin with the speakers you love and work backwards from there.