Do you understand your amplifier?

"why should I waste valuable nap time learning modern amp technology when other well trained geniuses are working on these things for me"

The only reason would be is that an amp is a component in a component system. In component systems, for best results, you care about the interfaces between components, but not so much on the internal workings of the component. That is the domain of the geniuses who build them. The interface between each component has to be considered though to determine which ones can work together well.

Even in the best case of a stereo system professionally integrated by an expert using one or more boxes, for best results, you still have to deal with the integration of the system into the room. And also, for best results, the integration of you and your ears into the room (ie listening location).

At that point, you have all the bases covered and life should be good audiophile-wise!

Systems engineer? If only I was making enough money to be able to call myself something like that. };0)

She's class A and gets very hot!

It’s Italian - I like a lot of Italian stuff. It’s got tubes - I like tubes. It has moderate power - moderate power tube amps sound best to me. I have enough things in my life demanding understanding. I engage my stereo system to help me forget them.

Of course, if I did understand my amp, I might feel differently :)

Nope...don't have a clue...

however, I paid lot's of money to someone who DOES.