Value?

[prepress]

I am considering a Marantz MM7025 ($799 MSRP, 140w) for a small bedroom system (in a truly small bedroom, I should add) which features Sound Dynamics RTS-3 speakers (15-100w recommended power). Obviously, the 7025 would drive the speakers, and mate well with the Marantz DV8400 universal player fronting the system. But I see Emotiva has the XPA-2, a 300w amp, for the same money. They also make the UPA-1 (200w monos) for $349 each which have a smaller profile than the XPA-2, as does Outlaw audio, the 2200 (an even smaller profile). Which of these is the best value, to me, is not a matter of price only, or even bang for the buck, but which one will meet all the necessary criteria. The 300w Emotiva's form factor is problematic in the bedroom setup, for example, so it isn't the best choice, even though I get more watts for the money; yet, it might do a better job than the Marantz of driving my main system speakers if I had to repurpose it that way, also a consideration. The monos introduce an element of unneeded complexity, though cheaper than either stereo amp.

As for value, I'm still working on which one is the best choice, according to my criteria.

[Shaffer]

Reading the thread, value as a concept can't be delineated on a monetary basis. Using myself as an example, I thought my old Ayre K1 presented a tremendous value for the phono-loving audiophile, especially if he lived in area with a good deal of RFI. Similarly, the Klipsch Heresy that I bought from CL for ~$250 offer an enormous sonic value for the dollar, period. Everything is relative I guess.

Felix