I mentioned to Lou that I often played metal and progressive rock at fairly loud volume levels, and perhaps this is why he recommended more rather than less power. This is why I was careful to qualify my earlier comment to apply to my room and preferences.
Although I have enjoyed rock on my SET systems in the past (don't listen to much of it though), if given the choice I'd always pick a well assembled system with more headroom, and more ability to separate dense, layered music. Just my opinion...I always seem to get jumped on by at least one SET enthusiast who claims their rig can do that kind of music justice. I have yet to hear that done as well as the alternative, but to each their own.
I don't know that I'd describe myself as a "careful listener", Grant. I think I go more from the gut and from the heart. What sounds real and what pulls me in and keeps me there. I feel like a fumble around all the technical descriptions and whys and wherefores. I don't have any real strong expertise in the technical aspects of why any of this stuff works the way it does. There are so many here who do and I completely respect that and value their contributions. My friend, Peter, is able to really pick things apart and analyze them in very scientific, and analytic observations. My observations may often reflect similar preferences (sometimes not though), but are more simplistic and from the gut more than anything else. I try to find words to describe it, but ultimately it simply comes down to which sounds more like real music and engages me to those emotions and responses that come with listening to live music. In doing comparisons of components, when there are significant and even subtle differences, I seem to have pretty consistent preferences. Anyway, thank you for the kind words, Grant.