Hi Rob, great choice on your speakers! I vote for the gloss unless you like to see and feel the wood grain on the speaker. They're pretty different finishes IMHO. As for amps, you should add the BEL 1001 to your short list. Nothing I've heard comes close and you'll hear every ounce of extra performnace with the 5As.
Let us know what you decide on!
Cheers,
Michael
Let us know what you decide on!
Cheers,
Michael