Agoners: Need Advice! Have 3K to spend on an Amp, what do I do with no way to audition?

wlutke,

So you're saying to buy what I want, and keep looking trading until I find the perfect one?  I'm running B&W 802 Matrix 2s, so no adjustment on the tones, they are midrange strong in many cases so having a bass/treble adjustment on preamp is almost a must.

jperry,

Thank you, for the recommendation. have seen a few of the Aesthetix amps, the used ones are still out of my price range. I'm aware of the recapping process needing to be completed, I've seen an average of every 10-20 years, depending on amount of amp use. So I am willing to put up with it, just making sure to buy American for that reason as well.

unsound,

I have older B&W 802 Matrix early 90s, still playing like a charm though.

jmcgrogan2,

I guess I'm trying to say, too much midrange is when vocals or the like in frequency sound so bright that I have to reduce the volume, probably the recording at fault. I'm a novice at this...

audioman2015,

I have been interested in the Parasound gear as well, just failed to mention it as a contender, as well as the Conrad-Johnson class Ds.

All of them have great reviews....thanks.

minorl,

I agree that auditioning them is a great idea, but in most cases those of us on A-gon are in another state, I'm in Ft Worth, Tx.  If I could find a deal in Texas, I would, most certainly, drive to audition and pick up. Most sellers are out of state.