Audio Budget - What to get??

[Niall]

Ginge it's like buying a car. A ford mondo and a rolls Royce both do the same job but which will be nicer, work better ect?

People normally overlook the amp when improving sound quality when in reality, the amp is one of the biggest factors that makes a difference! (second to the speakers of course!)
If you go over to talk audio, there are some guys on there who have systems that are like 10k plus yet there using amps that are 20 years old! Modern technology has made these amps far more efficient but you loose the quality until you start spending some serious money!