Watt Gives?

It sounds like the OP b_limo is getting a little stir crazy, since his posts seem to be bashing one thing after the other.

I have owned a Belles Aria, it is a very well designed amplifier. It does have solid bass, smooth, detailed midrange and good extended top end. 
The amp design is one of Dave Belles's better.  What I believe that you are mistaking for volume is Dynamics,  the 75 watt per channel Aria punches way above its weight and does sound more powerful than most because of how dynamic it is.  

@speakermaster   I have owned maybe 25 amplifiers manufactured between 1976 and 2000.  While I will say that amplifier design has not significantly improved since then,  the quality of parts has,  outputs transistors, capacitors etc.  I find that while there are some awesome classic amplifiers out there,  A good amp designer today has the advantage of lower distortion, better quality parts than was available in the vintage gear that you continually rave about.  

Same here. Own the Emotiva xpa-1 1000W monoblocs.
They get smoked by the odyssey kismet amps at 200 W. I use the amps at 4-Ohms for my modded CV D-9 speakers.
The small watt Kismets at maybe 360-375 W at 4 Ohms sound better, smoother, tighter compared to the 1000W emo monos.
Been told better parts, etc. totally believe it!!

They are deeper bass, crunchier mid ranges, highs are not irritating as the emo monos.

Better parts and the sound is more relaxing and accurate.
Is it parts? Or a combo of parts and quality which leads to better sound. ??



im not bashing the emo stuff, the odyssey just has a more relaxed tone, and lets me listen longer. 
    The emo stuff is saved as backup amps. 

@timlub “I have owned maybe 25 amplifiers manufactured between 1976 and 2000.”
/
That’s better than 1 per year; what did you start with, and what do you have now?
I heard a superb Belles Virtuoso amp at Audio Connection, and followed up by buying one from Johnn R. Great guy. It’s going to be a few weeks until I get it, and I am really looking forward to replacing the Rotel power amp I’ve had for 20 years now. I’m never going to catch up with you!