Best speakers for my system

Based on your follow-up answers, I would suggest that you at least consider the following:

Wilson speakers - Watt Puppy or Sophia's (assuming used is acceptable)
Thiel speakers - 3.7 would be very nice

Both of these, in my opinion will deliver very much in the categories you say are important. I have owned both brands and have powered both with ML (331.5 amp) and I currently own the 390S CDP. I am actually considering getting another ML amp. I currently run both Wilson W/P speakers and also Gemme Katana speakers.

Gemme would be another speaker for you to consider. They are a little more polite than both the Wilson and Thiels (definately more forgiving than both). They provide a different perspective with regards to sound staging, with more of the depth behind the speakers versus infront of the speakers (Wilson and Thiel both present a more forward sounding stage IMO). They use almost the same exact drivers as Thiel, yet produce a more neautral (or at least more polite) speaker. FWIW, they are beautiful to boot.

There are a lot of really good speakers in your price range and you have amps that can drive most anything you will be considering. I would suggest paying closer attention to people who have run ML amps (not trying to dis anybody though) as the amp speaker relationship is so important. There are a lot of other speakers I have heard and like, but if I haven't listened to them with the ML amps, I hesitate making a recommendation as I don't have first hand experience.

Also, I would strongly suggest you get rid of all that really junky, awful, crummy, bad for sound RealTraps stuff. If you send it to me, I'll be happy to take it to the landfill for you ;)

Heck, I'd even pay for shipping :-)

Just top of mind....My list would enclude: Rockports, Aerials, Wilson, and Revels. All are good, but depends on what you are looking for. Wilsons tends to be more analytical. Rockport and Aerials more relaxed sounding. Revels in between. However, with such a large range in $$$ means there are choices within these makers and it depends if you buy new or used. If dealers are hard to come by in your area, recommend going to a show to get an idea or plan a trip to one of the urban areas with more stores. 5-12K is an investment.

I'd say you need to go to lots of different dealers and listen to lots of different speakers. Your needs do not really rule much out (other than panel speakers due to the low ceiling), so you need to figure out what you like. Some stuff to listen to in addition to stuff already mentioned - Harbeth, Devore, Verity, Sonus Faber, Avalon, ProAc, B&W.

Take a listen to the ProAc "Response D38R"

Geoch and Countingbackwards, you both recommend Proac's, which are a speaker brand I have high regard for. I have not heard them with the Levinson gear of this genre (or with any Levinson amp for that matter). Have either of you? I would be interested in your opinions as to mating them with the ML amps.

My experience with the 331/2/3 .5 amps and the 334/5/6 amps is that they are a little bit more forgiving than say the Krell FPB/C amps, maybe slightly softer on the details or a bit less strident may be a better description. Almost a very slight "softer" (rolled off sounding top range) and slightly lighter in the bass, but not weak. I actually like both this line of Krell amps and also these ML amps - I am not picking one over the other. I am actually looking at a new (used) amp and the 334/5/6 or the FPB 300C or 350C amps are being considered (along with a Spectron Musician possibly).