Speaker recommendations, budget $10-15K

Mcondon,
You have gotten good suggestions and Al`s comments about room placement is very relevant. I`ve heard the Daedalus Ulysses on two occasions and it was very good(you could not go wrong with its selection). You list the Acoustic Zen Crescendo, good choice.I heard this speaker for two extended listening sessions at CES this year(90 minutes and then 1 hour the next day).It was driven by the Triode CORP.of Japan 50 watt PSET 845 tubed amplifier.The sound this system produced was extraordinary,truly one of the most impressive at the entire show.It was very natural,alive,dynamic yet also exceptionally transparent with excellent tone and overtones.This is a fairly large speaker that disappeared in the room.

The amp has a power meter on the front panel and it seldon passed the 1-4(some louder peaks pushed it to 25-35 watt range very briefly) watt level.I`d say average listening levels in that room(moderately large) were in the low 80s db range.So it does not appear to be power hungry at reasonable listening levels.The key point that impressed me was how natural and honest the music was reproduced, it was very engaging.This system out performed many far more expensive systems I heard there this year. I have no idea how it would sound with your very different type of amplifier(as good,better,worse?).A variety of music genre were played and all sounded excellent.

As others have said, in this price range there`re many good options.
Good Luck,

The Crescendo is a tall speaker and this could be a consideration. In terms of sound quality there`s no comparison with the less ambitious Adagio. They occupy entirely different planes of achievement.
Regards,

The number of positive
comments on the Crescendo surprises me, I thought very few were aware of this superb speaker. It will definitely appeal to those who are in the natural sound camp.It isn't a hifi character speaker at all.

G917,
You and I may have similar hearing perspective as I find your description very much the same as my impression. Shortly after leaving the Crescendo at CES, I and two friends visited the CAT and Wilson room which had the Sasha speaker in use.There was quite a stark contrast, the sound was just different, it was less fluid, natural and believable.The presentation was toward the mechanical and stiff and was more artificial.Tone of the instruments were not as real (it was more awareness of listening to a 'stereo',the Crescendo in contrast was more of real musicians are in your presence). Different source,electronics and room are factors also, but the change was striking.Obviously some would disagree with my view and prefer this system compared to the Crescendo room as taste can vary significantly among listeners.At the end of the day it comes down to what moves you and gets you involved with the music.

I hope that Mcondon will be able to audition his list of speakers,there`s no substitute for hearing something yourself.
Regards,