My amp has no faults

It's absurd to ask which amp stands out in your mind as being the best you've experienced? This is exactly the kind of question that takes your preconceived notions of priority to task, isn't it. Because now you have to put them aside and make a general statement. Let's say you have a well matched amp. Is it not possible there is another equally well matched amp for the same system that trumps the other one in performance? Are all amps equal given the right circumstances? To say yes to that would be absurd. Some amps are just plain lousy and some are going to sound at least good with most speakers. Lets say you've discovered the best amp for a particular system and say for a second system you've done the same. Both are the best under the circumstances. Is it not possible to now state which amp is better overall in your opinion? What if ten people who listened to both systems agreed on which amp is best overall? OH OH

I will stand by my statement that it is absurd without the mention of speaker for context. See Atmasphere's atatement above. I have had a few amps that, when paired with particular appropriate speakers I felt exhibited no major faults. When I paired each of those amps with another speaker, with different characteristics (due to crossovers or drivers, or other aspects of their construction), these amps were less ideal compared to other contenders.

To this day, I will recommend the Butler 2250 for someone who has a somewhat inefficient speaker that needs current (SP Tech Minis, in my case). The Rogue Stereo 90 for a somewhat more efficient speaker (Von Schweikert VR-4 Gen IIs). The Butler did not sound as good as the Rogue on the VR-4s, but was preferable on the SP Techs.

In the lower wattage realm, for single driver designs, I will always rave about the First Watt F2J, but this is a very specialized amp. And if the speaker's impedance is appropriate for it, I am a huge fan of the Atma-Sphere S-30.

The above are the top four amps I have heard. But this only applies when paired particular suitable speakers for them.

For the best possible sound, match amp to speakers. I have yet to be convinced that there is a jack-of-all-trades amp that will get you the best possible sound across speakers. And yes, I have heard ncores in my system with both the SP Techs and the VR-4s. An impressive amp, but it beat out neither of the amps mentioned above.

Would high power consumption, low efficiency or generation of a lot of heat be considered a "fault"?

Those are clearly measurable attributes of an amp.

Not all that determines the sound heard is measurable or accounted for by specifications. Even then much that can be measured does not alone determine performance. So the final determination of what constitutes a fault or not is of course highly subjective and debatable.

Okay Roscoeiii, you've answered the question and I trust your opinion. You clearly have the experience to justify your position. But it's your position on preference that I'm interested in. Thank you.

Mapman, measurable specs or efficiency are irrelevant to my question. Your Bel Cantos are highly regarded so I respect your answer.

Csontos,

I am curious what you speakers are.