Emotiva XPR-1 1,000 watt @8 ohm Monoblocks are a seriously overlooked gem in high fidelity , open the hood and see McIntosh type lay out with an extremely robust parts list , I bought a pair on a whim because for $3,000 why not & they easily compete with my McIntosh Mc-1201 monoblocks ,the McIntosh 1201s are the absolute best bang for the dollar in high end audio ,after trying over 50 amps and 30 preamps the Mc-1201 and McIntosh C-2200 tube preamp combo has been so good it's been nearly a decade since I've had upgrade fever , the Mc-1201s drive Roger Russell's personal hand built XR-290 line arrays in Pearl white effortlessly and at 86db that says alot , meanwhile the Emotiva XPR-1 monoblocks drive the massive 80 speaker line arrays very well & it's not until both models of monoblocks are pushing 800 watts or more does McIntosh best the Emotivas except for the Mc-1201s having the McIntosh house sound from watt 1 due to the auto former design ,if you can find the now discontinued Emotivas you won't beat those $3,000 monoblocks without spending $20 grand & higher .