This system was made in almost complete isolation and with no other comparables to judge it against, other than distant memories I have of over 20 years ago as to what high end sound is suppose to sound like. I don't have any high end audio stores where I live, nor any people around to go and listen to their systems, so my system represents what "I" think sounds good and not necessarily what "is" suppose to be good. In some ways this is good - I don't know what I'm missing, and in some ways it's bad, I don't know what I'm missing and don't have any direction to follow.

Also of interesting note, is that all of my system has been mail order, and I have been forced to choose from companies with return policies in case the rather expensive (to me) don't measure up to what I was looking for. This, as you might expect, has limited me somewhat. However, I have used Audiogon to great success in garnering knowlege and understanding to pic many of the pieces I currently have. But like most audiphiles I have strayed down a wrong path or two to get here.

As for the sound? Hmmmm. Not sure how to describe it since there is nothing I'm comparing it to, but key thoughts might be "open", "clear" and "presence". The presentation hovers around the speakers and leans to a foward presentaion. Singers are in the room - whick I like. Imaging is great and very three dimensional. Bass is very good with just the Thiels, but the REL sub really fills in the bass below 30 Hz and blends seamlessly to my ears. I wish I could speak with some authority about tone, but all I can say is that it is neutral to my ears, but I really don't know since I've never heard another truly great system as a basis of comparison.

In the end, I can tell you that the system moves me and has let me enjoy music in ways I didn't think was possible. So in that way I judge it as a success.