jcriggs, thanks for your advice. I always try to use amplifiers that fall within my speakers' power ratings. For example my mains, center and surround are rated at 250 watts RMS each, so I use a 200 watts/channel Emotiva amp for them. My stereo system's speakers can take 225 watts each, so I use a 150 watts/channel amp to drive them etc. In reality, though, I don't think I ever fed any of my speakers more than 40-50 watts with my listening habits. Also, when I decide to add a system I think ahead and try to purchase a multi-channel processor to allow for future expansion.
Audioholic72, these are some wise suggestions.
1. Back in the 90-s I could hear the difference between a cheap CD player and an expensive one. Today, with such an advancement in technology, I doubt I would be able to tell the two apart. Amps always sounded different to me.
2. I have to work on this one. In general, I want to buy quality gear even if it's a bit more expensive. But thus far I lack experience.
3. I agree, I need to like the sound of gear I buy or it doesn't make sense to keep it. I had one exception not too long ago when I bought SVS Prime Towers. When I first hooked them up I thought the tweeters sounded shrill and overpowered the weak and nasal mids, while the low bass was too powerful compared with upper bass and midrange. I left them playing for extended periods the next few days and these problems went away and everything became much smoother and better balanced. It was not the case of me getting accustomed to the sound because I was not there when the speakers were left playing. I think they just broke in. But this happened within one week.
4. I can't help being intimidated by sales people and feel a bit guilty taking their time. I know it sounds silly but I feel like they can see right through me and can tell I am not a serious customer. Because of this I prefer buying internet-direct.