Let's put it this way: I have Totem Forest 87db/w speakers with medium efficiency. The minimum recommended amplifier power is 50W. Currently I use Bryston 3b-st but for auditoning I had a chance to plug in Unison Research Power 35 (35 W/ch)... Not only I havn't found lack of dynamics and base but the other way arround: details on mids and mid highs especially, the music did not go from speakers anymore but from the instruments. I do not think that Pioneer will be able to stand in comparison. Virgos have bigger efficiency (90dB) than my Totems but the bass driver is slower than midrange and tweeter. To make the bass driver "rock" along with others you will be better of with larger power amplifier(Rogue M120, VTLMB125...). Cary does make a sence starting from 805 and up.
Cary in bed with Stereophile?????
Lets get some comments on the true impartiality of hi fi mags in general, and the reality of high end audio. I recently auditioned the Cary integrated 300SEI, 12 W/channel. I have a Naim CD5 and Audio Physic Virgos. Certainly there was the tube "bloom", with some of the immediacy and palpability. But the bass tightness and articulation was not there. (My "reference" amp, an old 1970's Pioneer 50W/channel receiver, was clearly better in this respect) I comandeered my wife, who I would describe as a casual listener, to compare the Cary and the Pioneer. After playing two of her favorite songs on both amps, she said "this is a trick , you didnt change anything in the system". When I pressed her, and played another song, she said she could not hear any difference. The Pioneer is worth $50, the Cary $5000. Cary is rated highly by Stereophile, but they have two page ads spread all over the place ......