I knew that the scene itself was demanding of audio equipment and I was listening at a volume louder than what I would normally listen at. I think I was demoing my system for a buddy at the time.

Don't get me started on an amp. I've been talking myself out of one for some time. It's one reason I set my fronts to small. Unless I can prove to myself that an amp will improve my system, I'm going to continue trying to talk myself out of one.