are all amps equal


I have recently gotten the Mcintosh bug, but a friend of my who does a LOT or reading on the net says power output is the answer not the name. I am looking for the best sound I can get in the 3k$ range for my Usher Be 718s. I have looked at many used Mcintosh units in the 200 watt plus output area, but my friend says a new 250 watt Emotiva would be a better value. The Emotiva is around $800.
I would like some imput.. Thanks, Don
keslerd
Have the 15 and 16 k checked on other amps. Even though I have all tubes now, I had a 7270 McIntosh amp for 18 years, with no problems. Your friend is dead wrong. Most amps will clip way before any Mac will. They are built that ruggedly. I also owned a Carver 1.5t 350 watt amp at the same time I had the 270 WPC Mac amp. The Carver was a little louder... maybe... but distorted before the Mac even came near distorting or clipping. BTW, I like Carver, I'm not slamming them. Good luck.
Keslerd - Ivestigate class D Icepower amps. I remember reading that they work nice with Be718s.