Newbie looking for amplifier advice

Guys, I"ve heard that Belles and I'm very familiar with Parasound as well a lot of the integrateds in this range and the Belles is very special.  I wonder why folks worry so much about watt's.  They are a nice measurement, however current is also important when match speakers with amps.  Folks never seem to discuss that part of it. What about sound?  The place where the Belles will win out is in delivering the details and emotion.  It drives the Vandersteen Treo's extremely good in a medium size room and the Vandersteens are 84db sensitive or 86. Either way, it's in the Ryan ballpark.  

David Belles has been around the block as long as most in the industry, but he doesn't have the marketing budget that others like Parasound do.  I'm not dissing Parasound or any others, just saying that I personally have heard both and everyone I've listened with when comparing the two felt the Belles was much better sounding.  The reason I listened to the Parasound is because I was looking at them two years ago for myself and I listened recently when helping a friend put something together.  No I'm not a dealer and I don't have skin in the game.  

I will say that Johnny is as good an audio person as I've met in the industry.  I get around a lot and meet many of the dealers around the country, so I like to think I have an idea.  Again, not an attack, but it's easy to make a statement that something is the best value in it's price or it's the best you can get etc..., but when folks are talking about specific components in a thread I would think that you would have to hear both before saying that  

(your quote from above) "
I can't think of higher value gear than what Parasound produces especially its new HALO integrated."

The bottom line is that its' all personal, but there are plenty of amps that cost as much or even less than Parasound that I'd get over them as would many.  Just some really nice choices and using a good dealer helps you sift through what match best together.  Again, I didn't read Johnny's post as an attack, just making some points as am I.  

Andy, get in touch with Johnny as he can help guide you even if you aren't buying from him. It's just who he is and he knows your speakers and gear.  Honestly the new Rotel integrated amps are outstanding as are the affordable NAD gear.  I agree about not mixing digital with your amps unless you don't even want to upgrade and you are keeping your gear forever.  That's the true lifestyle product. Heck, I purchased a Linn Kiko system for my bedroom even though the sound was just ok, because it was small, looked good, easy to use and is networked for use with Tidal etc....  I personally look at all these integrateds at any price that do it all as lifestyle systems.  The bottom line is that they will never sound their best, regardless of cost, because they share power supplies and pollute the other functions within the case.  I own an integrated as I could finally afford an Ayre Twenty amp and that was my entry.  I love it, but the separates of what's inside still sound so much better.  That's the reality.  Add more things to the integrated and it's not going to be the top sq.  Just can't be.

I assume your total budget is 2500 for both amps and DAC?  If so, there are a multitude of ways to go.  You may end up with an Ayre Codex DAC (best sounding DAC under 4k for my personal opinion) for about 1700 or 1800 and then a good used integrated from a dealer like Johnny or someone else so you can get at least a 30 day return if it's not working properly.  I've found that's a good way to go when purchasing used gear as I personally have been burned twice on the boards getting used gear. 

I know many folks who run the mid to larger NAD and Rotel integrateds amps with great success in rooms larger than yours with speakers that aren't quite as efficient as your's. I used the 50W one with my main speakers for years until I started my upgrades. 

You have a lot of opinions on the boards, just like mine.  You should listen if you can, but if you can't find someone you think you can trust and PM them off the board or get in touch with them and see if you have a similar feel for things.  As you know way too many on the internet never even have heard half the gear they post about being so great (they read a lot of reviews and posts on gear).  Too many folks chasing their tails all the time in this hobby, but never happy or with a true plan and it ends up costing you sooooo much more in the long run and sometimes the short run too.  JMHO and many others will totally disagree with what I have posted I'm sure.

If I recall correctly, Johnny may even carry the Ryan speakers.  I know they are highly musical and have a sweet high end that isn't shrill. I've heard them in the past, but not your particular speaker.  Nice choice and I'm sure you will enjoy them.

I wouldn't run the Aurelic over a Codex.  Night and day sound wise. I have heard the Altair a bunch as two of the dealers I frequent run them. One has Ayre and we have done side by sides and not one person has chosen the Altair.  Go get a cheap streamer. I know a few are being worked on that will be very inexpensive, but not sure when they will come to market.  I'll ask someone I know who owns a digital review site and see what he recommends for the least expensive streamer to go with the Codex.  

I wouldn't run the Aurelic over a Codex.  Night and day sound wise. I have heard the Altair a bunch as two of the dealers I frequent run them. One has Ayre and we have done side by sides and not one person has chosen the Altair.  Go get a cheap streamer. I know a few are being worked on that will be very inexpensive, but not sure when they will come to market.  I'll ask someone I know who owns a digital review site and see what he recommends for the least expensive streamer to go with the Codex.  

The Aries Mini is fine for streaming.  Johnny may have some thing else for inexpensive and great sounding streaming. 

Andy, email me at ctsooner@alumni.ou.edu as I don't see a PM option for you.  Let's chat off line as I have reached out to a few to see what they recommend for a streamer to mate with Codex.Pete

Funny as I heard the Bluesound 2 today also and feel that one of those and the Codex is a nice sound.  It really sounded great and looked good.

The Belles is outstanding.  I've heard their integrated and separates. If I was in that price range, They'd be on the shortest of lists for me.  When played with the Vandersteen's it's a great combination for sure.  The timber, timing, depth of soundstage, detail etc... all come shining through.  They mate well with most speakers as they have a good amount of power and drive to them. Very neutral amps.  

Just focus is what I always tell folks.  It's much easier that way I feel.  I think I'd focus on getting the best DAC for now that you can afford as a Codex will last and sound better for longer than anything in it's price range.  Some feel others are the same, so go listen for yourself, but I was at Suncoast Audio today and we spoke about the Codex being a 5k DAC selling for 1800.  Mike runs a great shop, like Johnny R does and he sells Vandersteen, Magico and Rahdo (spelling), Focal and one or two other.  All very high end speakers and all higher end gear.  He has a wonderful ear and has the passion that Johnny has.  If I lived in FL, he's my guy, no doubt.  I personally don't like the Emotiva gear at all, but that's me.  I do love NAD or Rotel at the lower range (if you can't afford a Belles let's say).

That Ryan speaker is a really nice speaker, but I still like the Vandersteen's better for the same price.  There are so many ways to go, but I like how Johnny thinks and he will be able to take your real budget and not the one you hope to have (don't we all do this? lol) and help you put together a system you will and can love for a long time.  

awesome....VAndersteen and Ryans to me are some of the best value in speakers out there.  I have wondered what he ended up with.  Inquiring minds want to know, lol.