Best ML sound I have heard was off a Krell integrated amp about 4 years ago.funny as that was my experience as well. the best M-L sound I heard was Krell FPB600 monos driving the M-L Statement E2 speaker. Krell CDP & Krell preamp. MIT cables. That was in the Sound Advice showroom when Gail Martin Sanders himself was touring the country doing these demos.
I still remember the sound today-absolutely fantastic! I wanted to run out & buy that exact system right there & then! Alas, when I was presented the bill I saw that it was in unobtainium land....;-0