bob: that is a good overview by Alan, but, it just does not get into selection criteria. Those criteria are what I am currently looking for.

You can design an amplifier many ways. Some are electronically better than others, some are more expensive than others, and, some are more reliable than others. I don't see much of this "second level" information posted anywhere.

The Rat. M80s, VP-150, QS8s, SVS PC 20-39+, OPPO, Onkyo 703s, Harmony 880 Sony 60" SXRD HDTV