A small correction. The "compared to" amp prices are off.
I believe they are 333 $8500. The 336 $9500. and $7900.
I was'nt clear on power cords etc....the friend who owns most of the equipment is a eletrical engineer and DIY'r and built his own cable/wire. To clarify the 333 sounded pretty awesome, but we all agreed it seemed to inflate the scale. Many would like the effect because we all love staging, but the AVA just sounded more...right, again, subjectively more transparent. Most folks who don't know would just think were nuts because to listen to any of these amps, especially the ML 333, the Reference Line and the AVA is to be completely swept off your feet. The AVA 500EXR is absolutely unbeatable at 3 times the price. If sold through dealers it would retail for over 3K. Its performance is worth twice that. Not to forget they have a 30-day no questions asked full refund policy if NS, and awesome service if you are.