I am using the SMSL DA-9, Rotel RC-1572 MKII pre and RB1552 MKII power and the Topping PA5 with SMSL SU9, SU9N and Sanskrit 10th MKII. Whichever combo I use, it gets shouty and bright when I push the volume. Erin who recently reviewed the R100 confirmed what I was saying all along, it is detailed but it can get lean at high volumes. Its no wonder because from graphs, we can see it indeed has a rising top end. Great at low and normal volumes, not so at really high volumes. Still one of the best sounding speakers Ive owned so far, with the 12.2 taking the top place.