I own B&W D3 speakers. They can be dull sounding on some equipment, but they can also be excellent sounding with the right stuff.
Since you are saying 80% home theater, I would think carefully about the McIntosh amps. McIntosh has great sound and many love it, but they have a very laid back sound. This type of sound may just not be exciting enough for home theater / movie purposes. In my opinion, I think you'll keep trying to turn it up or trying all sorts of other things to make the system work (i.e. silver cable, fuses, room treatment, etc.). I have heard McIntosh with some speakers and it sounded really special, but it was still too laid back for me. I have also heard McIntosh top end monoblocks with McIntosh speakers and it was so dull and boring sounding to me.
Magnolia is likely pushing all these items because they sell them. Like soix indicated "welcome to the machine".
Since you are saying 80% home theater, I would think carefully about the McIntosh amps. McIntosh has great sound and many love it, but they have a very laid back sound. This type of sound may just not be exciting enough for home theater / movie purposes. In my opinion, I think you'll keep trying to turn it up or trying all sorts of other things to make the system work (i.e. silver cable, fuses, room treatment, etc.). I have heard McIntosh with some speakers and it sounded really special, but it was still too laid back for me. I have also heard McIntosh top end monoblocks with McIntosh speakers and it was so dull and boring sounding to me.
Magnolia is likely pushing all these items because they sell them. Like soix indicated "welcome to the machine".