Sonus Faber Maxima Amator without the fancy

@vthokie83  I don't have enough info, I just looked at a comparison site, you'd know more. My general understanding is that:

SF marks entry level models up~20+% because they are still a premium brand ad  benefit from their R&D and trickle down. As they sell a lot of these, their mid-range in return are priced reasonable and fare well against the competition. The high-end is expensive but not crazy expensive. It's more collector stuff not audiophile stuff anyway.

I have a good friend helping me with this, he’s getting me used equipment from people he knows for dirt cheap.  
he’s done the same thing I want to do, which is to basically make it sound like the GD is in my living room and he thinks he can get it done for about $1k.  I’ll post what he comes up with in here when we’re finished if anyone is curious.  Very excited!  Helping me set up my room too.  

make it sound like the GD is in my living room and he thinks he can get it done for about $1k. 
 

Not likely…..

he’s done the same thing I want to do, which is to basically make it sound like the GD is in my living room and he thinks he can get it done for about $1k. 

Yeah…that’s a tough sell. But then, those who don’t know just don’t know…

So i had a friend that has done this for a long time find me everything i needed to get this going and he saved me 15-20k as far as I can tell.  System he set up for me sounds amazing, everything is used except for one Fosi amp that he had me order.  
Got two Polk Audio speakers from the mid 80s or so, two old JBL speakers, a sub (not sure of brand but it sounds amazing), a dvd player to play cds in, and an old Denon amp.  He helped me put this together for about $1,000, really a great friend.  The two amps allow me to blend the speakers which is really cool, totally revitalized the listening experience for me.  
Got a thick wool carpet and some curtains coming in the mail, pic is a little dark but you get the jist.

Thanks again for all the help in here!