TO PHIL "ICERAVEN": I say Krell makes the best amps (and I'm NOT ALONE), but I'm not sure which model is the best price/performance value (if there's no limit on the money spent)...not that Brian cared to be that specific in his original question...YOU SEEM TO BE TAKING AN AWFULLY LONG TIME TO DECIDE, SINCE THIS POST IS A YEAR OLD. You have to try for yourself, because there'll never be concensus. JUST TAKE THE PLUNGE, AND STOP LOOKING FOR APPROVAL FROM STRANGERS ALREADY!! I mean, these discussion forums work for specific system aspects, BUT ASKING TO SUGGEST AN ENTIRE SYSTEM IS JUST PLAIN SILLY AND WRONGMINDED! It'll always be a subjective decision by the individual who'll be using the system, and if he's a real audiophile, HE'LL NEVER BE TOTALLY SATISFIED ANYWAY! That's what the hobby is about, THE JOURNEY TO THE MUSIC, not the destination. That's pretty much what ALL HOBBIES are about, "the process". GUYS WHO LOOK TO THEIR DEALERS OR BUDDIES FOR APPROVAL, ESPECIALLY TO SUGGEST AN ENTIRE SYSTEM, ARE TOTAL WUSSES! Use your own ears, or you'll never be happy. I SHOULD POST THE QUESTION: "Is it important to listen to your system, and make your own decisions?" That's about as intelligent as asking what the best solid state amp is...