In these days of fewer audio stores many of us make our choices based on reviews, product reputations, looks and specs. Many of us live in communities where online shopping is all that is available to us. We look for 30 or 60 day return options.

I enjoyed a Rotel RA 970BX integrated amp for years. If I were more patient I might still be enjoying it. Sadly I thought a channel was cutting out but it turned out to be the Sony ES cd player. I in a panic of not having music ordered a Cambridge Audio 640A int. amp. The older Rotel was a better amp. Still thinking it was the Rotel that had the problem I lent it to a friend who melted it down by hooking up too many pairs of speakers. I should have given him the CA 640A to melt down.

The 640A became annoying with it's sound and I was anxious to replace it. I began to read raves for the Onkyo A-9555 and was curious. On a fluke I won $500 in the lottery and I thought what the hell so I ordered it. It was better than the 640A but it to became fatiguing quickly. I knew at the time I needed to shop for something better.

While owning the Onkyo A-9555 I bought a new pair of speakers. The speakers were the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs and they were the Original Master Loudspeakers 1. The folks at Music Direct were concerned about the Onkyo being able to power the speakers. In my small room it did okay. Of course the seed was planted, did I need something better? Again I found myself not completely pleased with the sound.

About that time I inherited some money and I thought now was the time to upgrade. I was interested in the Exposure 2010S, LFD Zero, Simaudio and Portal Panache. Having been told the OML1's were tough to drive I wondered if the Exposure or LFD could supply enough power. Since I enjoy a lot of big music with wide dynamics I began to think about power reserves. It was then I learned of the Krell S-300i. I read some good reviews and liked that the amp had output at 150 watts into 8ohms but doubled into 4ohms. So home came the Krell.

Three years with the Krell and I still love the sound. Most components get on my nerves after a few months and they are given away or trashed. I believe what most reviewers are saying that this new integrated amp is the best of all the Krell integrated amps. This amp is worth a listen if you are curious about it.