Marbin's a good guy once you get to know him better. I bought my Accuphase through him only. Not a bad experience at all, I had been in talks with buying the E-650 for a few years actually, since it came outI have heard Focal Aria 948, like them but not as much as the Spendor. Harbeth is very good, but I am looking for tall speakers. I haven't hear Spendor Classic but there are those who think classic sounds better than D series.
No, I heard it with their pre and power and it was fantastic. But I am looking at Nagara Classic INT, not the 300i. I have all kinds of fears about tubes; like what happens if some of them go bust etc... I am challenged that way. Not that I can do much in the case of SS. I would have even looked at T+A but for that guy Marbin. However, now, you have thrown a Boulder at the works. I love its reviews, looks, and the fact that I can play Roon just pushing in an ethernet cable.

Only mentioning this because its always YMMV, and also have received 1-2 DMs about what dealer I got the amp from.