I think you are right ON target with the choice of the Music Hall amplifier! IMO it is the best-sounding you can get for under $1000.

The 4-inch and smaller mini-speakers are definitely too small.

I suggest the Cambridge Audio SX-50 speakers, which are $249 per pair at Audio Advisor. They have 5.5-inch drivers and are rated to go down to 50 hz, which will give you nice midbass response for mellow sounds.

They also have a much higher sensitivity than the Pioneer speakers, which makes them an easier job for the amplifier to drive. They come in a nice walnut finish (or all black).

That amp and those speakers should be a real sweet system for you.

Enjoy!

Oh...another thing. One good solution for speaker positioning is to get a couple of wood shelf units around 12 inches square and 30-36 inches high. Put LPs in the shelves and the speakers on top. With a full shelf of LPs in the bottom they are very stable and are not going to be knocked over.

P.S.- you are right! Onkyo and Yamaha amps are the worst-sounding crap there is.