To Marakanetz: Red Dragons are very nice amps. However, they have the dumbest speaker connections I have ever seen. Instead of standard 4 or 5 way binding post connections. They use this short tit or nub that you place the spade lug over. To secure the lug to the nub and amp chassis, there is a plastic plate that applies pressure to the plate via a knob and holds it in place. Not very secure. They do NOT accept banana plugs
So far I have had no mishaps. The problem is you cannot buy used speaker wires with lugs at the amp end, and bananas at speaker end. Most wire is either all lugs or all bananas. So I have lost great deals on used speaker cable because of these stupid connectors. My speakers don't readily like spade lugs. Let us face it banana plugs are the easiest and most secure, and with my freakin bad back I don't want to mess around with connectors anymore.
BTW, There should be a member review of RD M-500 amps from 2 years ago on Audiogon.. Check it out. Regarding buying a Bel Canto Ref 150 stereo amp, they don't come cheap even used. I am still harboring the idea of a good integrated and to hell with separates. Ideally I would like to downsize to a three component system However, Thanks to all for the advice and comments.
