Recently purchased a set of klipsch LaScalas . Purchase came with Mcintosh MX114 pre amp and MC2505 amp . Amp has 50 watts per side. The MX114 has popping sounds when warming up . My audiphile friend down the street thinks one or more of the caps are bad. First question - is it worth fixing ? Is this a good pre amp ? I also wonder if I have enough power in amp ? Should I look for a more powerful amp? I do like to listen at all levels - I do like the live sound from the LaScalas when played loud. I have the feeling that a more powerfull amp like the Mac 2105 or 2205 would enhance the total sound spectrum - especially the low end. What do you think ? My friend loves tube amps - He brought a few over - all very low output watts.75 to 1 1/2 - The speakers sounded great at low listening levels .We both agreed ,need a more powerful push pull tube amps - which could get into big bucks. We both thought maybe a tube pre amp would solve one of my problems. Ido like the MX114 - I used to own am audible illusions Modulus 3 - i also miss the lower bottom that the speakers do not seem to produce. I have been using a sub . My audio friend hates it , says it muddies up the sound field. I do my best to balance the sub and speakers. What do you feel is best for my listening tastes? I love all types of music from classical, Big band jazz to jimi Hendrix. I do like to play at what I feel to be at near live volume levels. Havinf Fun with Klipschs . I used to own a set of Cornwalls - they had a better bottom end - the LaScalas have a smoother mid and upper end. Trying to make improvements at one otem at a time - What do you think? Pre amp, amp ? any thought on what may work . Audio Research pre amp? What tube amps work best ? There is a used Mc 2205 on net ?