Linear Audio is a great read, lots to learn there. I wouldn't generally say that the designs presented there are overly complicated, but yes, high performance circuits are sometimes a bit more complex than simple ones. True that it's not really geared toward the diy noob.
Jan Didden (the publisher) usually has a table at RMAF. He's a great guy to talk to, has most issues of his magazine for sale and usually something fun to check out. Last year he was demoing the Smyth Realizer for headphones.
