I think its ear burn in. But I love my Focal Alphas 65 now, more than two years ago, and I do think my SSL BIG SiX sounds better after a year of having it. I wish I had the money to buy two of each to make the test but this will not happen.

You can put it over a foam rug to decouple it from the floor, but then put it at 50%, put some bass heavy music on it, and go ask your neighbour if its ok. Better to be nice and ask

Vintage Rotel amps sound amazing. I have seen very shitty sounding McIntosh stuff, but the consensus is that they are great. I think that probably overrated because they look so cool tho. Old Rotel stuff can be found for very cheap, and McIntosh is really expensive, I wish I could compare some at my place, but cannot afford the latter.

Theres never enough plants as long as you can walk