So what would you recommend then? A consumer amplifier (reciever), or something more beefy? The emotiva amps looks pretty awesome. What would be the best preamp for such an amp?

Love this thread... why no Shure?    

YEA!I love that game, thats why my name is oddworld. Any other ideas on amplification?   I would like to power these speakers: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882290160 Wouldn't a 100W per channel home receiver be a little too wimpy to power this thing?  

I would like to get some tower speakers for home audio, but they require 200-400 watts to drive. Where can I find such an amplifier? Most home theater receivers are 100 watts / channel. Please point me in the right direction. I would like to be somewhat economical (budget $500 - $2,000)  

This thread is fantastic! Thanks OP for showing that there is some truth to inexpensive amps!

Audiogalazy crashed for me every few minutes. It was terrible. Windows 7 64 bit. Quad core, 8 gigs ram. Subsonic is excellent. Offers FLAC with MP3 conversion OR straight FLAC. Been loving subsonic for three weeks now

Dear users debating about this: The E9 has more than enough power for the K701 / K702. Trust me, I own them. 

Must have this!

Yea, I would start out with the E7. Its surprising how powerful it is. The E7 is MORE than enough for my Shure SE110, adaquate for my Senn HD280, insufficient for my AKG K702 (which are really really hard to drive)   So I think you would be fine with the E7, it would be a huge improvement...

I do hope that Fiio will release a tube amplifier!   I would buy it in a heartbeat  

This thread is fantastic, keep up the good work! I'm digging the A/B

Yea, I really need a comparison. I'm really digging my Fiio E7 + E9. You'd have to really show a big improvement for me to upgrade

Has anyone heard both the Schiit Valhalla and the Fiio E9?   I currently own the E9 and love it, but was wondering if anyone has heard both and could comment on the differences. I understand I'm asking to compare tube versus solid state, but my understanding is that the Valhalla isn't very...

How powerful is too powerful? Can you comment on the pairing with K701 / K702? Would you recommend the Valhalla or Lyr?

I agree, the value is amazing. Riku, have you seen any more E9 comparisons? I've been reading the A/B amp thread, but nothing about the E9 yet.  ( http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/521988/amp-a-b-comparisons/75#post_7158012 ) What I have noticed is that all the solid state amps are pretty...