Best Amp for Timbre, Depth and Spatial Resolution?

All the demo's in the past with the 802N and the 800 Signature with Mark levinson were often dissapoiting. The best options I think are:

Musical Fidelity, Pass labs X0.5 series and Krell

Johnmc67- I own a pair of B&W 802D. I have spent many hours and years looking for the right amp. About a year ago I found what I feel is one of a few worth owning, the Veritas by Merrill Audio. However it is beyond your stated budget. But just in the last few days the Merrill has announced an entry level amp. It is the Thor made by Merrill Audio. It lists for $4,000 per pair but he is running deals on it for a limited time so it can be had for less. It is based on a trickle down tech of the Ncore amps.

I have not heard it yet but hope to sometime after the RMAF show next week. I believe Merrill will have them setup at the show if you live nearby and can make it. On aside he will be pairing the Veritas with a pair of TED E1 speakers and Andrew from Pioneer might assist in the setup. I wish I could be able to hear that combo.

Also there was someone on the Audio Circle selling his Veritas because he is going with an all active setup.

What Musical Fidelity products are you talking about Bo1972. A few years ago, I tried a MF A3.5 integrated. I was very surprised with it. No question that is is a very powerful amp. It will drive just about anything. Also, the sound was very fast. If you like what the Naim does with the quick pacing or PRAT, the MF did it better. In my opinion, though, it went too far. The highs were a bit harsh and there was no body or fullness to the sound. Kind of like old Krell but without the good midrange. Not 2D but not 3D. Maybe 2.5D. I thought I would like it but it was just OK. Not great. It was one of the first units to come from Asia and not the UK. Maybe that was the problem.

I don't wanna disrespect the dead, but Julian Hirsch was a quack, imo.

Musical Fidelity there amps are musical and very well controled. The sound has become warmer the last years. There is some depth, but not in the league of Pass Labs. In the past I gave shows for the distributer of MF. Compared to Naim the focus of instruments is a lot sharper. Naim is more focussed on sound and drive. The Naim amps do not give a sharp individual focus like instruments and also voices sound like in real. The other point is ther is almost no depth. At shows I Always asked the people of naim why it is so 2D. To be honnest many people who even work for distributers there knowledge is limited. Often they do not know a lot about music. What can I say!