Levinson Amps: What do they really sound like?

I agree with most of the above comments. The problem, once you already have the speakers you want to use, is getting one-three dealers to lend you three or four (or with monoblocks, seven to eight) huge amps and drag them home to listen. And then there is the problem of comparison: see how fast you can substitute a pair of Levinsons for a pair of Krells, warm up the second pair, and then try and remember what the first pair sounded like! Then switch them back to check yourself! There is a shortcut--call the speaker manufacturer and ask them (a) what amp(s) they voiced the speaker on, and (b) what their reactions to the newest amps on the market are. Manufacturers lend each other equipment, or sample what's around, to see what changes they might want to make to their own lines, and this gives you a big leg up in deciding what 150 pound monsters to lug home. (Oh yeah, I don't have them, but Levinsons have sounded great when I've heard them on B & w's and Revels.)