Recommendation for a highly resolving amp

Maybe, just maybe your excellent amp needs a tune up. The .8 series is 8 or 9 years old, the .5's obviously older. Nelson is as good as they get. I would still have my 250.5 if I had room.

I will be receiving Benchmark AHB2 amps in 1-2 weeks and do a comparison with X350.5. I have to say, the X350.5 sound is gorgeous and luscious.

You will hate the AHB2 if you love the luscious sound of the PASS. You will have more details for sure out of the silent AHB2 but not luscious,

@yyzsantabarbara 

Yes, I am aware that Pass and AHB2 at the opposite ends of the spectrum in sound. I do like luscious sound but I also like amps with high detail. I enjoyed listening to my friends Spectral amp, which I am assuming would sound more like AHB2. When I was listening to Louis Armstrong sing, it sound like he was in my listening room. What has your experience with AHB2 been like?

@chungjh I think the AHB2 is the best sounding amp I own or have owned. Now I am likely in a tiny select minority when I say this but I know what I like. No need for me to describe it since you will hear it for yourself soon.

I have my downstairs system as follows AHB2 mono| LA4 | DAC3B | KEF LS50s. The KEF LS50s get replaced by the Yamaha NS5000 once my 5 year old son becomes a bit bigger and I can clear up some of his toys.

The AHB2 system was not good enough for my hard to drive Thiel CS3.7 (2 Ohm dips) so I moved the Benchmark gear downstairs to the living room from my office. A single AHB2 in stereo is actually officially rated for 2 Ohm but the monos are not. They both can go down to that region but not with the power that I felt was needed for the CS3.7. So when Benchmark guys say that the AHB2 will work in 2 Ohm they are correct, but I am talking about he degree of goodness.

I have the CODA #8 and it is likely a less warm PASS, but more similar. It works great with my Thiel CS3.7. Recently I heard the CODA #16 with the same CODA 07x preamp I have at home. I was very impressed by the #16. It had the clarity of the AHB2 and also some warmth. So that amp maybe my next top amp. I will upgrade my #8 to the #16 when finances permit.