Best Amp for Timbre, Depth and Spatial Resolution?


I have an Ayre CD player, BADA Alpha DAC, deHavilland Mercury pre-amp, CJ MF-2500A amp and N802 - am looking to upgrade amp.
Would like to hear views on Best Amp for Timbre, Depth and Spatial Resolution.
Not married to tube or SS..
Always wonder about Stereophile recommended components such as Aesthetix Atlas, Parasound JC-1, CJ LP-125 and the likes. I would pay about $5k on Agon so there are some limitations.
Thanks.
128x128johnmc67
Bo, you need to understand that some of us have been doing this far far longer than you.

And know more.

Stop talking and start listening.
Listening to what.......Music....audio. This I do all my life. Today I went to a concert of Joe Bonamassa. Was really awesome!!
It is not about age. I started when I was 6. I got a stereo tape recorder of Philips with tubes. In the beginning wenn I started in audio in 98 I was busy with it for 80 hours a week. It was that addictive for me. Audio is about understanding music and how to use audio to play music. I see you use the Quad 988. I sold Quad for over 6 years. Your speakers are ok, but mann you miss a lot to get the absolute sound in the time we live now. Time and technique go on and on.
I owned 988 some years back, among dozens of other speakers.

You really don't want to compare experiences Bo.

You lose.
Geoffkit,

Yes, I think I follow! The reason the specs matter even if an amp or other component sounds good in a showroom is because that is a limited time audition in an environment different from your home, and anomalous specs may tell you there will be dissatisfaction over the long term when you must live with a component. I expect that Stereophile runs detailed measurements and discusses them at length for just that reason. By your logic, they are wasting their -- and our -- time. I don't think so . . . .

Neal