This will all end up in the 4 month write up ... but a couple of thoughts for now:

1. I was thinking the RMC-1 ... but after some research, it became clear the biggest benefit to the RMC-1 was Atmos and other surround formats, things that don't matter in a 2 channel system. I was also considering a high end 2 channel pre-amp, but it reports are the the XMC-1 is a tremendous 2 channel analog preamp, with the addition of Dirac Live for $99.

2. Last spring, I started shopping for state of the art speakers. I was looking at Magenepan 20.7's, Magico S-5's and B&W Diamond series (802) ... and of the 3, only the Magnepans made music sound natural. Then I saw the actives, and talked to Ian. He gave me a 90 day trial, if they didn't meet every need for an ultra high end speaker, they would go back.

They are not the show pieces in terms of snob appeal, but since I don't know any snobs, that wasn't an issue. Put simply, the LFR-1100's are the best music makers I have ever heard.