Muralman, that was a very lyrical and spontaneously drafted review, in the style of stream of consciousness.
Scott is comparing H20 to Aragon 4004 and reports a staggering improvement on MG 2.6 with H20. I am not surprised.
I have used the same Aragon 4004 from approx 1988 to 1998 on the larger MG IIIA pair with very moderately satisfying results. Soundstage was relatively flat, imaging was arguable, bass extension a promisary note. . . no need to beat a dead horse, but Aragon never attempted to be the epitomy of our high end: a good price/performer does not imply stellar performance.
Scott also mentions trying several other brands, without being specific about models. AS Maggies present a relatively difficult load, it is relatively easy to find a poor match for them.
I am currently driving my MG IIIAs with a pair of venerable, yet incredibily sweetsounding Rowland 7M, which while driving the speakers completely effortlessly, could be replaced by something a little faster and detailed.
It would be interesting to find a more dispassionate reviewer who can compare the H2O with some higher end amps than Aragon: the upcoming X600.5 from Pass for one, Rowland 301 monoblocks, ARC VTM 200, and other devices in the same or even more exalted legue.
H2O is likely an excellent price performer, But is it a stellar performer regardless of price?
I am looking forward to any analysis that the folks of the Wisc Audio Society and others will provide on the subject.