My Medium List of Amplifiers and my Personal Review of Each !

@willgolf 

Yes, these are all amplifiers I have owned and know very well.  

Most recently the Parasound JC5 and after ~ 120 hrs. it has been a roller coaster ride the way the sound keeps changing ! 

I have found that frequently amps and preamps seem to improve by 100 hours. Then go through a period of up to ~ 50 hours where they wildly fluctuate back and forth from good to bad… then stabilize and start getting better for the next few (as much as 800 hundred hours more.

Update to the list.

OUT- Parasound JC5

IN- Dual Benchmark AHB2.

Reigning Champion- Pass Labs XA25

While the JC5 had its strong points- namely a clear, transparent midrange when the recording called for it, impactful bass even at low volume and of course the capability to play as loudly as I wanted, the Pass Labs XA25 still reigns supreme overall. Just a more pleasing overall sound, soaring midrange bloom, warmer and fuller but possibly too much so.

Enter the dual bridged mono Benchmark AHB2.

More to follow.

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INTEGRATED AMPS

NAD C356 BEE - not bad but not as smooth as the Yammies, Cambridge Audio or Marantz in its range. Sounds strained at volume even with 89db speakers. Relatively unrefined.

Raven Audio Nighthawk (tube) Nice sound, very transparent and refined, powerful beyond its 20 WPC, good value, sound quality is highly dependent on NOS tubes.

Raven Audio Blackhawk. More refined and transparent than the Nighthawk, use with efficient speakers and it could be a forever amp. Super colorful high end sound, again depends on tube choices.

Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II

Powerful and dynamic with an atmospheric sound stage. Responds well to NOS small signal tubes, KT 120 power tubes are fantastic. A sound that belies its modest price, beats many more expensive amps.

POWER AMPS

Cary Audio 200.2. Very powerful and supremely dynamic and transparent amp. Midrange forward but with extended deep bass and highs. Starts and stops on a dime. Treble can be slightly unrefined at the top, midrange can be too forward sounding, best to match with darker speakers.

Rogue Audio Stereo 100. A dynamic powerhouse. Even with the same 100 WPC spec as the Cronus Magnum it sounds much more powerful. Excellent bass slam, very refined when the tubes burn in, even better with NOS small signal tubes. Huge sound stage. Excellent value, lacks the ultimate transparency and refinement of the Cronus Magnum.

Parasound a21+. Super smooth and engaging sound, good bass and refined treble. Definitely not as fast, transparent or dynamic as the Stereo 100.

Pass Labs XA25. A gem of a sweet sounding amplifier. Not as transparent as the reviews lead you to believe but awesome sounding nonetheless. Extreme micro dynamics and instrument separation, lots of contrast between sound levels of various instruments, almost as if each instrument had its own channel and speaker. High degree of refinement. Very good power that goes well beyond its modest rating. Warm yet detailed, this one could be a keeper for anyone with moderate to high sensitivity speakers.

Parasound JC5. Recent acquisition and a really impressive sound. It literally does it all- smoothness, extreme transparency, most transparent amplifier I have heard. Lots of power yet sounds amazing at low volume. Effortless dynamics, sounds flow abruptly at high contrast levels. Best midrange I have heard- no coloration at all. Excellent bass depth and slam, biggest sound stage of any solid state amp I have heard. Dark backgrounds that are noticeable by their silence. Absolutely love it.

Very interesting stuff.  Love your style of being bottom line and to the point.  Looking forward to your thoughts on the Benchmarks.  

@willgolf ....That " other " amplifier thread you spoke about is gone. I have my thoughts as to why he ended it..............nice to see " affordable " amps being spoken about....My best ! MrD.