This is a deceivingly powerful little 30-watt receiver. “High-current capability has always been one of HK's chief design philosophies - whereas most 30wpc receivers will start to clip immediately if you ask for say a 40-watt peak, the HK units are designed with no current-limiting ICs in the signal path, and robust enough power supplies so that they can almost double their wattage into instantaneous transients if necessary.” For this reason, a 30wpc HK will almost always sound better than just about any other 30-wpc receiver. HK rates their receivers conservatively with all channels driven. I first listened to this receiver by simply playing my IPod through the Aux input using an analog cable. I was immediately blown away with the level of detail that was coming through my speakers, as if I had my headphones on, I could hear every detail of the music. My PSB Imagine Bs with 4-ohm impedance filled the room with music with just half the volume control dial turned up. The Imagine Bs This receiver has extended highs and lows and a crisp detailed presentation. In listening to the music it was apparent that equal added attention is given to both the high and low frequencies, but never bright or boomy. True to the music pure amplification. I can't praise this 1973 receiver enough. What impresses me is the volume control knob where you get a tactile sense of turning up the volume. Also there is a loudness button that can be depressed when listening at low volumes so that more power is applied (boosted) to the high and low frequencies. I mean how cool is that! What ever happened to this feature in receivers? It’s perfect for listening at work where I use it, and I have no doubt it could handle any bookshelf monitor speaker you could through at it. It’s the best $100 I ever spent on an audio component.