Thank you all so much for your input. I think I am going to bite the bullet and go with the M60 setup. Considering in the package I get the bigger sub, higher end surrounds and better towers, it's hard not to justify the higher price tag.

Now comes step 2, the search for a proper receiver. Any suggestions considering the M60 setup?

Again, all your help is very much appreciated. It seems the more I research, the more indecisive I become. Luckily I have a good friend at a high end audio/video store who would be happy to let me audition some receivers. I just hate going in there since I have to walk by a 7.1 setup with BW CT 800’s and acoustically treated rooms.