@ronboco You'd be making a wise choice with the Rockport Avior ii's and the 866. I own Rockport Altair 2's and would never let them go. There's something very musical about speakers Andy Payor designs. And Rockport's build quality is world-class. I use a Gryphon Antileon EVO stereo amp.
I recently purchased a Boulder 866 for a 2nd home system I was planning. I temporarily hooked up the 866 to my Altairs and was pleasantly surprised on the musicality and level of control the 866 has on the pair of 15" side firing woofers in the Altair's. Not many amps are able to manage those woofers. Boulder is likely conservative in their power rating of the 866. There's no harshness from the Be tweeter and the bass management is very close to the Gryphon Antileon EVO. I suspect the 866 will mate very well with the Avior ii's.
Check out the private message I sent you.
Good luck and enjoy the journey!
I recently purchased a Boulder 866 for a 2nd home system I was planning. I temporarily hooked up the 866 to my Altairs and was pleasantly surprised on the musicality and level of control the 866 has on the pair of 15" side firing woofers in the Altair's. Not many amps are able to manage those woofers. Boulder is likely conservative in their power rating of the 866. There's no harshness from the Be tweeter and the bass management is very close to the Gryphon Antileon EVO. I suspect the 866 will mate very well with the Avior ii's.
Check out the private message I sent you.
Good luck and enjoy the journey!