Some amps I never heard of...


Hey all -

Thanks again for the replies to my "where can I audition amps near Boston" question.  I'll be visiting several of the suggested shops in the coming weeks.

I'm looking to replace my power amp, which is a Rotel 980BX.  It's driving Ohm Walsh Talls so it needs some beef, and it has to fit into a cabinet with a relatively small footprint.  So I've mostly been looking at Class D stuff like the Bel Cantos, and also some monoblocks, because although it's narrow our cabinet is relatively tall.

In looking around I ran across a couple of amps that seem plausible on paper, but I don't know / can't find very much information about them.  If you guys have any thoughts to share, I am all ears.

Benchmark ABH2 - small form factor, has lots of power.  Any downsides?
Gato DPA-4004 - tres swoopy!! and appears to have lots o' juice for such a little guy.
Gold Note PA-10 - on paper this thing seems too good to be true. 
Vincent SP-T700 tube hybrid monoblock - one stout looking little dude, the tube/solid state mix is of interest.
Vincent SP-997 solid state monoblock - looks like a nice little amp, fits anywhere. what's not to like?
Exposure 2010 S2 / 3010 S2 / 5010 S2 monoblocks - looks like nice old-school UK hifi. good value for $$$?

Anybody heard these, or have hands-on experience with them?  Mostly I'm interested in knowing if there's anything here I should straight-up run the hell away from - the fewer options, the easier the selection process will be.

As always thanks for your thoughts and comments, this place has been and continues to be my audio hobby schoolhouse.
v7b9b13
@v7b9b13 I'm happy to send a Gold Note PA-10 your way. If you don't love it, send it back to me.

- Colin

Gold Note dealer in Nashville, TN
https://gestalt.audio
I do not have any of the Vincent products that you described, but I do have an SP 331 MK hybrid power amp. I like the sound quality. The bass texture is what stands out the most to me. 
Exposure have s big following in Europe, their amps are very well built and last for ever.
This class D amp seems to be making lots of waves lately. It’s "Pro" equipment but being used in home audio also. Huge power at a minimal price. I don’t know much about it but there are some youtube videos out there.

https://www.crownaudio.com/en/products/xls-2502
Been talking to a friend who got a Gold Note PA10 and thinks it's a bargain, using it on some Silverline speakers. Don't know how true but says he's heard there will be a price increase sometime soon and a shortage of many Gold Note products because of the current worldwide situation.