@georgehifi --
It says what? The people in attendance of said listening session, among them musicians, knows how to use the term "hifi" in its truer sense, and nothing about the statement excludes the traits you mention, on the contrary. A smoother, more refined top end could point to better transient response (i.e.: better slew rate), and a more lively and open sound is exactly that and could involve many other parameters; like more headroom, less restricted dynamic capabilities, better sound stage, etc. The traits in particular you do mention are very much a factor of the speakers as well, I should add, so it seems me you're bending the statement to have it suit your agenda.
Each and every one of us preferred the sound of the bridged configuration, with some describing the sound as now being "more hifi"This statement says it all.
A really good amp should sound big, tight and wash over you with dynamics and detail that don't sound like it's coming from any of the the speakers drivers, and have a sound stage you feel you can get up and walk into.
It says what? The people in attendance of said listening session, among them musicians, knows how to use the term "hifi" in its truer sense, and nothing about the statement excludes the traits you mention, on the contrary. A smoother, more refined top end could point to better transient response (i.e.: better slew rate), and a more lively and open sound is exactly that and could involve many other parameters; like more headroom, less restricted dynamic capabilities, better sound stage, etc. The traits in particular you do mention are very much a factor of the speakers as well, I should add, so it seems me you're bending the statement to have it suit your agenda.