I'm here, and have been for a long time, for a number or reasons.

One of the top is that I like to interact with the regulars and newcomers here--good folk, who understand the value of music and excellent audio sound. Another is Steve himself--I feel both a kindred spirit with him in important ways, and that he is also a fascinatingly different individual who provides an incredible service to the audio world and his work has enriched my life.

Donnie mentioned other reasons and I'll relist them with a few revisions:

I LOVE to listen to music. It has long been one of my favorite activities, and it has grown in attraction over the years--I totally love music: listening to it, creating it, reading about music and musicians.

Ever since my Dad got a Dynaco and AR and EMI (loudspeaker) system when I was five I have been fascinated with audio gear.

I like to experiment with tubes and other accoutrements.

I like to gather information and understanding about audio, sometimes I am looking for help with problems (great place for that), and I like to be able to help others with information or advice or assistance.

I find this is a good place to sell equipment at my idea of a fair price, and to purchase equipment.

This is a really diverse and interesting community. That is one big reason I have been here so long and return daily.

In the late 70's, there was a local home audio store called Audio Central. As teenagers who loved music, we used to go in there, wide-eyed, looking at the gorgeous equipment. The guys used to love to play music for us, over one of the various pairs of Klipsch speakers. I was entranced, and vowed that one day, I would own a pair of Klipsch!

Fast forward to 1985 - my first real job. I was getting paid chicken feed, but several years later, I got a pair of the fabled Klipsch - the highest in the line that I could afford - 1987 Forte (I made payments on them and the Carver components I paired with them, for 2 years)

Over the next 30 years, the Klipsch stayed, with various amp changes - Carver, then Denon separates for the longest period.

In 2016, I decided that my Klipsch needed some help - research online revealed that pre-built crossover replacements were available, as well as tweeter diaphragm upgrades. These were installed, and my sound was rejuvenated - along with a rekindled interest in amplifiers to drive them.

Solid state was all I had any knowledge of, but I had heard for many years that Klipsch speakers sounded very good with tube amplifiers. Tube amplifiers??? I was lost!

And if that wasn't confusing enough, what I kept reading, was that many of these tube amps were extremely low wattage. Eventually, I landed on the Decware site, and looked closely at the line up. With this being a venture into uncharted water, I did not want to spend a lot, thinking that If I wasn't happy, I could go another direction.

The cheapest in the line was 2.3 wpc. 2.3 watts?!?! How in the hell was that ever going to work??? After a bunch more research, I took the risk, and here I am...