Dean_martin:

Good memory and thanks for the interest! I have completed my upgrade (and came in just under budget). I must say that I never thought I'd have a system I would be so happy with. Thanks so much for your help and recommendations. Once I connected the new amp and sub, I played one of my wife's favorite songs for her ("She will be Loved" by Maroon 5 - Our music tastes diverge completely) and she responded with "Wow, you have a really good stereo." After living together for 7 years, this was the first time she actually acknowledged that she could hear the quality of the sound. She usually just asks me "which sound is the bass again?"!

So, I'm really pleased and don't think I'll need to make any drastic changes for awhile. I drive a little faster on my way home from work so I can fit in a few more minutes of listening time, and want to revisit my entire cd collection to hear the difference.