Thanks, all ... very helpful.
I'm looking at this system as a sort of sentimental/nostalgic gift for my wife. It's a little pricey, but ... well, you all understand.
I'm partial to the S series speakers - have a pair of S45's (redone at HUGE cost by speaker builder) and a pair of S45-2. Love them both, no matter what they run through.
Ran the S45's through the speaker builder's giga$$ system and fell in love all over again. Back at home, in my smaller space, they and the S45-2's sound amazing playing vinyl on through my (get this) Advent 300 receiver.
So we'll see; my wife'll faint if she gets the 5500 system ... I'll probably give her the S45-2's to go with it. Nowhere what the system can power, but perfect for the space, and she loves the minimized "handling" afforded by our old B&O system ...
Thanks for the help.
SDB