["solid state amps are subtle if they exist"]
Unless you have an audiophile's ear.
Sure, there's marketing envolved... almost EVERYTHING has marketing. But, to say there's little difference between solid state receivers is 100% bullshit.
My first receiver, a Technics (100w), was okay. When I bought my next receiver, the Onkyo (80w), I didn't even need to do an A/B test-- the Onkyo was far ahead of where the Technics was-- same speakers and same cabling BUT more clarity and more sound (not louder). The difference was HUGE. Seriously, it was like I was listening to my music again for the first time.
Granted, the further up you go, the more it'll plateau, BUT, there are significant differences... you probably don't have the ear for it.
