Pre, how's your 9.5's?
hi brother oreo.
i couldn't be happier with my setup now. as i've said, it keeps getting better with every listen. i should say my previous gales have more clarity, but the 9.5/9.cs's have more weight to them. this isn't to say they are muddy... coz without the direct comparison you wouldn't know the difference. as it is, i really haven't felt the need to add to the treble (nor the bass). i just keep everything flat. i have now all the excuse i need to go home early. hope my tv gets fixed soon to add another more compelling reason in braving rush hour traffic.
anyway, is the setup you posted still for sale? if they are still fresh looking i guess it is a good starter set. as what skylynx in the previous page said, you can get the whole system, add a 9.5/9.6 and make it a full 7.1 if you have the space for it. otherwise, you can just make the extra set of the 9.1 into a separate audio setup. one other option is to post the extra 9.1 in the b/s thread here.
i haven't heard other combinations, but the marantz might be one of the more warm sounding amp out there. my initial apprehensions though about the marantz/wharfe combo is largely unfounded. the diamond 9.cs can give out clear dialogue even with this amp. still, i think this speakers may go along really well with bright amps like the yamahas.
one other thing about speaker sensitivity. my gale 3030's are 90db fronts, and the 9.5's are 88db... but i could say that there's not much of a difference to speak of loudness wise. initially i have one 9.5 on the left channel and a 3030 to the right. there's a really slight balance towards the left even. i just confirmed it with the full diamond fronts and still the gales at the rear. it now sounded as if i have lost my rears, even as i could hear sound coming out of them if i moved my ear closer.
if you do get the 9.5's, take the extra effort in siting them. it will make a lot of difference how far to the walls you place them or how much toe in you position them. also, i think it takes some more effort to matching it with your subs as opposed to bookshelfs, but it can be done.
good luck.