Help needed choosing speakers for 9.2 setup, Audiophiles I need you!

[A Gruesome Time]

Help me out! Putting together the home theater I've always wanted - Up to now I've always been a 2-channel kind vintage kind of guy so I really have no idea which direction to go in building a modern high end setup...

What's being replaced:
6 year old Samsung HP-S5053 50" Plasma
Sansui G2200 receiver (one of the best sounding units I've ever owned)
a set of Infinity Kappa 9's was running bi-amped with Adcom 555 200-watt amp for the bass speakers and an Adcom 535 60-watt amp for the mids and highs

So far it's been my favorite setup, and I've been anti-surround sound for a long time... Finally gave in and decided to build a nice setup for myself - I live in a loft, it's been challenging getting the right sound, as my living room area is almost 1400sq/ft, hardwoods, brick walls and 20' exposed ceiling.

I traded the old setup and some cash for a set of Martin Logan Vista Hybrid Electrostats and a Martin Logan Electromotion C2 center channel

I'm set on using the ML's because I've wanted them for so long, never thought I'd own a pair.

What I'm working with so far:
TV: Sharp Elite PRO-70X5FD
Emotiva ERC-2 CD player
A/V: Onkyo TX-NR5009 network receiver
I'll be using my PS3 for bluray/etc

I need phonograph recommendations also - my old yamaha died a few nights back

Speakers I've only got the ML's so far

Should I stick with ML for the rest of the speakers? I think I've probably got about $4k left that I can spend to finish up the setup. I'm thinking I'm probably still going to need a standalone amp to power everything... Suggestions on that would also be greatly appreciated!

The system will mainly be used for listening to Music plus the occasional movie. I know speakers choices are pretty subjective, I'm just looking for a shove in the right direction.

Thanks

[osiris]

I would absolutely not concern yourself with going full-on 9.2 channel system. Stick with 5 channel and a pair of subs, properly set up. I'm going to assume you are OK with used gear, so my recommendations are taking that into consideration.

The Vista is really not a tight sonic match to the the "Motion" series of Martin-Logan speakers. I would try to sell the C2 and get a used Motif or Stage. The surrounds are not as critical of a match, but I would still try to stick with ML. If you can find used Tickets for a good price that would be a great way to go, but all of the ML product will be voiced to sound as much like Electrostats as possible.

I'm going to assume that will eat up ~$1000 of your budget. That leaves you another $3k for a pair of subs, a multichannel amp, and a turntable. Lets assume you spend $500 on a good turntable/cartridge, that gets you down to $2500. Some really good multichannel amps can be had for $1000-1500 all day. Some really good powered subwoofers can be had for $500 a piece.

[ambat]

......... Some really good powered subwoofers can be had for $500 a piece.

Not sure if you can have "audiophile quality subs" for $500/each...unless the OP plans to get them used.

OP,
It also depends on what you like to listen to, if you are into audiophile quality "pan flute" you can get away with a mediocre sub. If you into audiophile quality "dub" or even "orchestral" music then you need a music + movie grade sub.

Finally, I don't quite get why you need a 9.2 or 5.1 when you media source is essentially 2.0 (LPs on a turntable). You will be matrixing this 2.0 source to produce a 5.1 sound stage. Donno too many "audiophiles" who would tolerate that.

[A Gruesome Time]

The only real reason I was considering building a 9.2 surround system is because this setup will be serving double duty both for music and the theater sound to compliment the great new gigantic TV I've bought.

I won't be trying to split my music into 5.1 or 9.2 channels - only for TV and Blurays. I listen to a very wide range of music, mainly jazz/soul/neo-soul, 90's R&B and Hip Hop, dubstep(liquid/ambient), and death/doom/black metal... I don't watch movies very often, but if I'm home I'm listening to music - most likely streamed from my PC as a FLAC.

I've been using it as a 2.1 system with just the Electrostats and an old Infinity SW12 I borrowed from my father and it sounds pretty amazing already. Not sure if it's the Vista's or the receiver but as it sits it sounds better than any other setup I've owned to date... no tweaking or anything yet, I just let Audyssey do it's thing. I need to test out the Vista's with one of my other receivers I suppose.