From time to time I wonder if I really hear a difference, for instance between the two tube amps I have or if I just believe one sounds better than another because I have read others opinions on the subject. From the first picture I ever saw of a Belle, it triggered something in me to want to hear them and want to believe they would sound wonderful. At some point over the years I read that the MC225 to many had a unique sound and that it paired well with Belles. Because of the oddity and chance of eBay, I ended up with 2 MC225s at what I thought was a good deal. I used them in mono with Heresys and believe they sound better than the MC240 that s part of my original McIntosh set inherited from my dad. This is all a very long way around to saying that I don’t have an efficient way to do true A/B comparisons between my different components, let alone in all the different possible combinations. Being able to read others opinions of what they like and what other products they have had in the past that has led them to their current gear sets has helped me imagine what might sounds good to me, too. It’s not a foolproof method, but even in a city the size of Houston, there is not a shop that would stock product that would have let me demo every piece I now have together before I acquired it. It’s great to have a place to share information - to agree or disagree. Some issues are Imperial, but most are subjective. Here’s is a general thanks to everyone who participates, willing to share their personal research and knowledge!