There’s much to be said for simple.
The Bel Canto E1X ($8000), which I reviewed (and enjoyed) last October, was one of the stars of this simple show and its 180 Watts (into 8 Ohms) of output power drove the slender and attractive Audiovector R3 Loudspeakers ($14,950/pair) with ease and grace.
Yes, a turntable. In the Bel Canto room. People tend to forget or overlook the fact that the E1X has a very capable MM/MC Phono Input and the golden Pure Fidelity Harmony Turntable in quilted maple ($9095) with an Origin Live Illustrious SE Tonearm ($3295) mounted with a Pure Fidelity Stratos Cartridge ($1895) proved that point at Axpona. Everything sat on a Harmonix Resolution RXR Audio Stand while Cardas Audio took care of the cables.