Thanks for the replies. I love the sound of the 990, but I know when my audiophile friends see me driving the S1ex with a "budget amp", and preamp they will think I lost my mind. I recently auditioned the S-1ex at a local store, and wow they also carried Wilson audio as well as some very nice and expemsive Focal gear. I really felt like a kid in a very expensive candy store. They used a Mcintosh tube amp and a Krell preamp, I thought this was a strange mix I was concerned that the amp would not give the bass control the speakers need. It was an amazing sound, but I was right about the bass. The Pioneers need a good solid state amp to control its bass. It will be an interesting match . I did love the Bel Canto combo with the S1ex but i do want them for HT as well as high quality 2 channel.

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