I am a school teacher, so I have been off for may weeks. I have piles of free time in June. So I have used one Sony micro stereo receiver, two different Sherwood receivers, an Onkyo integrated amp, and now a preamp / power amp in the system in my signature. All of those "amps" sounded good and clear and made my Polks sound good. The difference in the sound was subtle. Receivers are fun to buy, but they probably matter the least. Peace and goodwill.