Hi Audiolabyrinth, I am absolutely vdelighted to hear that you love your class A amp. I feel exactly the same about my class D Rowland M925, which like your own device, appears to have a propensity for conveying feet shuffling, page turning, and.... Plenty of subvocalizations on old Glenn Gould and Andras Schiff recordings... Did I mention that it is so musical it makes me forget where I am?
Unfortunately, I have no idea how to evaluate amps according to parts count or soldering joints... I just listen to the music from components that I have had the fortune of owning, or at least listening to, with as little prejudice as I can muster in the process.
BTW, In SS class A/B, I truly adore Solution. in high power tubed amplification, ARC and VTL realy strike my fancy. In SS class A.... I am sure I will eventually find an amp that takes my heart away... I am sure it exists out there already *grins!*
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Regards, G.