@ja_kub_sz You can learn a lot about the what/why of amp selection, etc. by reading the comments on member's system pages. In my case, I have changed amps a number of times over the years based usually on the desire to get a better match with a particular speaker. Relocating into a different sized space usually was the prompt.
In terms of selection, there's no substitute for listening. Local audio clubs are a great way to meet like-minded people whose systems you can listen to with hopefully, learning your preferences along the way. Not much help these days, though!
There's plenty of truth to "synergy" especially between amps and speakers. If you don't have the luxury of in person listening, it's important to read up on first hand experiences of owners of your speakers(current or desired) and get a grip on what users have gotten the most satisfaction from using them together. The easier route is to get those recommendations from a trustworthy dealer. A few who come immediately to mind are:
- John Rutan at Audio Connection in Verona, NJ
- Duke LeJeune at AudioKinesis, who also makes speakers
- Eric Konisberg at BEK Hifi in Allentown, PA
They all tend to focus on brands with staying power, vs. just the "latest one-hit-wonders". I think that's a great thing, often ignored. Many hifi companies don't survive for a decade or longer. For service/parts, it's a consideration and will impact resale values as you trade up over time. Nobody ever lost a ton of money buying used Vandersteen or McIntosh and selling it a few years later. If you ever talk to a dealer about an amp or speakers and they don't seem concerned with the rest of your system, that's a red flag!
In this hobby, the best values are often from small to mid-sized companies. Chances are pretty good(with a few exceptions) that if they ever did a TV commercial or everyone at your holiday table has heard of a brand, then it's probably not going to give you as much sound/$.
Cheers,
Spencer
