Doug I agree with most of your observations. But you are in the wrong forum man (amp-preamp) AND 'too' spells with two o's.
For the people who say that a single occasion to listen to a product should not determine our opinion I want to remind them that you get one chance to make a first impression. There are tens of loudspeakers in my target price range and I have a daytime job. So, if manufacturer A selects the wrong ancillary equipment or does not soundtreat his little hotel room right, he failed to impress me and that's it. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply. It is not golfing after all.
For the people who say that a single occasion to listen to a product should not determine our opinion I want to remind them that you get one chance to make a first impression. There are tens of loudspeakers in my target price range and I have a daytime job. So, if manufacturer A selects the wrong ancillary equipment or does not soundtreat his little hotel room right, he failed to impress me and that's it. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not apply. It is not golfing after all.