While some measurements may bring some sonic bliss.....still most things you do to an amp (that cannot be measured) still change the sound.....in fact, an amp designed by anyone to have the distortion structure that Ralph says can sound blah, OK, good, very good or great depending on the implementation of a million different factors. Ralph thinks its mainly one factor.....to each his own. I play with the other million things and they all change/improve the sound. If you have ordinary binding posts on your amp....you have ordinary binding post sound.....no matter what the distortion reads. This is something I have spent over 40 years playing with. If you have a belief that these things that I say do not matter......then it does not matter how many years you have been making amps or whatever......you will still not have any real knowledge about the sound of parts and execution. Basic design is one thing.......how you implement it....is just as important. Designing and tweaking go hand in hand. One without the other is like being one handed. I have always been able to improve the sound of every component that I have ever had......not matter what the basic measurements.....and what I do.....does not make the measurments better. My customers for over 30 years agree. Most high end companies.....both measure and tweak after they measure......some do not. Believe what you want. I believe my ears.
Beauty if everywhere......joy is every breath. I hug you.....you are loved.