Class A: Accuphase vs Pass Labs house sound?

Sugden IA-4 Masterclass. Pure Class A from the pioneers of it. 

Accuphase more dark and more refined.

Pass open and transparent.

Obviously,most people like  pass 

The top 3 brand on this forum are pass lab, luxman, audio research. Why these 3?  The reason is their house sounds attract you  in some way.

So you've never heard an V-fet amp !

You can read on an audiongon forum (V-fet)

the comparation than Yamaha B3 and Accuphase A-47, the Yamaha is the winner and the Sony ta-N7b is still considered the best japanesse power amp transistors.

My understanding is that Accuphase prices in the US are much higher than ROW, because the distributor is Lord Voldemort, or something like that (Accuphase gear in Canada seem to be priced like Luxman).  I wonder (a) if the distributor thing is true - any insight is appreciated; and b) if they’d be better received at a different price point and, therefore, comparison level

“The top 3 brand on this forum are pass lab, luxman, audio research.”

Could it be because they are easily accessible new and old? Accuphase is out of reach for many due to US Distributor unfair pricing. I bet most posters here who are quick to posts their biases never even heard Accuphase in their system 😂

I realize appearance (aesthetics) of a gear is subjective but Accuphase build quality is simply exquisite. That is not to say Pass Labs is slacking in build quality but it’s appearance to me lean towards industrial.