Hey CRT, may be your $15k system is not set up optimally and truly does'nt sound much better than an Aiwa or your wife is tone deaf.
How Cool Is My Wife!
I thought my wife was pretty cool when we moved into our new house and she said, "Honey why don't you take the best room in the house for your dedicated listening room." I thought that was pretty cool, a 27" X 14" room for my gear (And boy is it a great sounding room). Well this year I almost droped dead when for my birthday she gave me a pair of Maggie 1.6's! I know what your thinking gentlemen. She's mine and she's a keeper!