McIntosh amps are IMO among the very best for sound quality, you will not see any winning SPL contests...but if I were going for ultimate SQ(which I do), I would use McIntosh. This is of course the after market amps I am talking about. I recently heard some McIntosh components...and they sound...

Awesome idea! I just read thru this for the first time. Awesome info to know for someone just getting into this. Thanks for your effort!

I registered so I could ask this same question as I just ordered my 650s yesterday. I was already looking at the micro and am set on it after reading how well they pair with the 650s. But what is the desktop module you are talking about? I know Headroom makes the desktop line for an extra $200...