Newbie looking for amplifier advice

Paraneer
Not an attack sorry you felt bad though
 your post implies as if you
 must of heard the Belles Aria by saying
((( I can't think of higher value gear)))))
((( Has more power Always etc)))
I try my best to deal with facts here.
  Always isn't always here but can offer you a kleenex after you listen.
 Best JohnnyR
Audio Connection

I never implied that I heard a Belles. Again, reread my post - I simply stated a fact between the power output of the Halo and Aria and you somehow assumed I was knocking the Belles.

I know you sell this amp but why so defensive about them?  Good luck with your dealership Johnny. You still don’t seem to get it.

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.  

Johnny R would not attack anyone. He is trying to help you by being clear. He knows his stuff. He will not agrue with you either but he will give you some of the best advice, and the wise one listens. He is not trying to benefit out of this, just helping. Hopefully you can see that.

Thank you ctsooner for your experience. I am just a salaried guy trying to assemble a system which will last me for many years. I am not someone wants to upgrade to the latest $2k DAC every 2 years.

it is tempting to buy a DAC integrated, but DACtechnology moves too fast. With the Ryan and Belles, the cost is way more than I would have imagined. That is still excluding an Auralic Altair DAC/streamer and possibly new stands 

Only 30% of total system cost is going to speakers.