My goals for this system was to make a system with which I could enjoy music through and through. I chose a monitor speaker for that I life with my parents, and have a small room as a listening room and thus a monitor is the better choice, especially when it cuts off at 75 hz. The Marantz PM 8000 I chose becos of good looks and advise of the shop owner. Wanting to have a good looking stereo I bought everything of the same brand and series. Now that I know more of sound, I would still buy everything of the same brand. I just can not live with different components, being estheticly focussed and a sucker for interior style. The highs are pretty harsh, but very satisfying at moments. Next time I will isten to more equipment (never thought there was such a plethora of audio brands with so manydifferent output styles)