Best Amp for Timbre, Depth and Spatial Resolution?

I owned 988 some years back, among dozens of other speakers.

You really don't want to compare experiences Bo.

You lose.

Geoffkit,

Yes, I think I follow! The reason the specs matter even if an amp or other component sounds good in a showroom is because that is a limited time audition in an environment different from your home, and anomalous specs may tell you there will be dissatisfaction over the long term when you must live with a component. I expect that Stereophile runs detailed measurements and discusses them at length for just that reason. By your logic, they are wasting their -- and our -- time. I don't think so . . . .

Neal

Zd542 wrote,

"Yes, but with TV's, the salespeople usually adjust the TV's they want to sell as best they can, and "detune" the other ones."

You get a gold star for the funniest post of the thread so far.

Nglazer, do folks demand to see the specs when buying a new TV? Of course not. That would be absurd, right? Only someone who hasn't quite figured out if he can hear the difference would be so interested in specs. Heck, people don't appear overly concerned with specs for turntables, stereo cartridges or even CD players. They ARE interested in how they sound. Do they have good bass, etc.?

I think its safe to say amp specifications matter but do not tell the whole story.

The TV analogy is a weak one that will not get anyone very far.

Everyone knows audio salespersons are much more forthright than their TV counterparts. They would NEVER do anything to lead a consumer to see things their way. :^)