Newbie amp help......why?

Phaelon makes a good point. Upgrading audio systems past the general consumer level is more about the hobby of upgrading audio systems than that of listening to music. Music listening on a system that is aimed at the general consumer vs the audiophile community can be just as rewarding. It sounds like what you have is already giving you the music listening experience for your taste in music. I have met many people over the years who are true music enthusiasts but who listen to systems that they have had since the 70's or 80's, and even then were just general public type systems, and they are completely satisfied. What they discuss is the interpretation of the music by the performer, the songwriting, and so on, rather than the intermodulation distortion of a given amplifier or the jitter of a digital source. Neither approach requires the other and neither is inherantly better. So it really depends on your focus; if your focus is listening to music rather than tweaking the system, it sounds like you are already all set.

How did the issue of whether you might need an amp come up? Did someone else tell you this? Or did you come up with it on your own?

PSB Stratus Golds are decent speakers, and some other A-goner with more experience of them can probably tell you how easy or how difficult they are to drive, and what works well with them.

If you're satisfied with the sound, and someone else is messing with your mind, let it be.

If you yourself have got a hankering for better sound, then the Pioneer is probably the weakest link in the chain, and you have a whole host of possibilities for improvement. One way to go (certainly not the only way), is like I said, if you add, say, a better power amp now (still using the Pioneer as pre-amp), and then, when finances permit, a better pre-amp later (and the eliminate the Pioneer).

If you haven't heard tubes, you should try and do so. Try and find a dealer who stocks Cayin, PrimaLuna, Jolida or some other of the less expensive brands.

Or find a dealer stocking PSB, and see what they drive them with...

Come on guys. If he asked the question we all know it is too late. It is that very curiosity that has taken over our souls.

Blindjim, the Mercedes comment was great!

i guess what im chasing now is a experience i had in the mid 90s. i was working and accidentally went into a higher end store thats no longer here and heard asystem with the speakers i have now and was blown away. i dont even know the equip he had other than the golds. it sounded un real completely 3d sounding out of only 2 speakers. it literally made my eyes water and my balance was all messed up. well 20 yrs later i have a bit more to spend but i cant even get close to what i heard that day so im chasing a system i have no idea about....thanks for the warning i think im already sunk. kevin

Flyin2jz, do you know if your speakers are well positioned for your room? A lot of improvement can be had by the speaker/room interface being right; then you can start looking at equipment upgrades.