I started with a pair of tube monoblocks and took them around to speaker retailers, hooking them up to their demo speakers until I found a match (with Dunlavy Sc-III). If the dealer won't let you try your amps (or preamps, cd transport, DAC, etc) with his inventory, PASS on the dealer. Move on to the next one. Any experienced dealer or audiophile knows that you MUST match components with the equipment you have by listening and comparing. There is no other way. Some dealers are no more than audio hustlers. Do not be discouraged by negative responses from these guys, and ignore their recommendations, or hostile comments. The goal is the quality of SOUND reproduction. If you are presuaded to purchase brand NAMES based on the name alone, you are buying their marketing effort, not an objective evaluation of the equipment. Just some thoughts that can help eliminate buyers remorse.
