You learned a very valuable lesson - all the talk and advice from others, no matter how well-meaning, have nothing to do with whether you will like the recommended product. You also learned that the "price has nothing to do with quality" mantra is not always true. Unfortunately, the more expensive item may well be much better, IF you hear the difference. Some do not, in which case it makes sense to buy the cheaper product. I don’t like to spend anyone else’s money, but sometimes the best thing to do is reevaluate your budget, bite the bullet and buy something you really like, rather than some halfway measure you will always be unsatisfied with. As long as it’s a fiscally responsible purchase, you will have a much greater enjoyment of your system and less desire to upgrade or move sideways. Perhaps you can stretch and get the dealer, who was so nice to you, to sell you his demos and a demo or trade amplifier at a more reasonable price and let him help you achieve in your home what you heard in the store. You may be surprised. Good luck and congratulations on your enlightenment.