Your discussion had me wondering, have you heard the Vandersteen 3A Signatures?

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/vandersteen_3a_signature.htm

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/home-audio-speakers/3191-vandersteen-3a-signature-review.html

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/speakersystems/506vandersteen3a/

For a home theater receiver the Onkyo TX-NR906 is very good. The Emotiva UMC-1 pre-processor and XPA-5 200 watt x 5 sounds very good in a friend's system. The Outlaw 990 pre-processor and 7500 200 watt x 5 power amp or 7700 200 watt x 7 power amp should get consideration also.

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/Onkyo_TX-NR906_A_V_Receiver_Review.shtml
http://hometheaterreview.com/onkyo-tx-nr906-receiver-reviewed/

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/surroundsoundpreampprocessors/805emo/ The new Emotiva line is much improved.

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/surroundsoundpreampprocessors/705outlaw/
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/amplifiers/908out/index.html
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/amplifiers/906outlaw7700/

Quote:
Can any of you suggest other amps in the $2k to $3k range that compare favorably to the Rotel RSX-1500?

Arcam AVR350 Link

Marantz SR8002 Link