I was able to listen to my first pair of good speakers before I bought them. Almost everything else, the opposite was true. The integrated amp was the biggest leap for me, probably due in part to it being a big leap money-wise as well. No regrets.
have you ever bought stereo without listening first
I just placed a down payment for a Belles Virtuoso 200wpc amp. Its not in their website, I believe is a new model just put in production. Following Audio Connection,John Rutan's recommendation and pairing it up with an Audible Illusion M3A preamp and Vandys speakers. I believe its going to be a good combo, but has anyone listen to this amp?