Anyone else constantly curious about amps?

I admit to being a bit curious about Airtight tube amps. Not monoblocks, but integrated. Same for VAC.

@hilde45 I'm glad you mentioned the mentioned the LTA amps as well. Those have been on my radar, and I was lucky enough to hear their gear in two different systems at SWAF. The Areo Dac is very interesting, and something I would strongly consider. The amps sounded good, but it's so hard to judge them not only at a show, but also when they are shown with panel speakers only. Nothing wrong with panel speakers, but they don't really give me a sense of how they might pair with my normal box and driver speakers. Anyway around it though, the LTA Z40+ is also on my radar. 

@jasonbourne71 the weekly reminder from Jason Bourne for all of you dummies that think amps sound different.  Jason have you ever been in a legit treated room with multiple amps with similar distortion curves and tested them?  I'd guess not.  So please allow those who actually have used this gear talk rather than just regurgitate the ASR line of "it all sounds the same", espousing a single small scientific study from the 70s which has been disproven countless times. I assure you that your class D amp with 120+db SINAD will not come close to my Pass Labs XA30.8 in realism or imaging regardless of how it measures.  If you still feel the need to post this on every amp discussion though, do you.  It's a free country.  Just know that those of us with high end systems are rolling our eyes.

OP, yes I have this disease.  When you have a fully treated room with high end gear, the difference between amps is not subtle.  I've tested over a dozen amps in this configuration.  No amp sounds just like another.  There's a reason why Nelson Pass uses measurements AND listening tests to determine these things!  Whether everyone can hear these differences is another discussion entirely

I'm not familiar with your speakers, but judging from the specs, I don't think you have enough power.  They may play "loud enough" but you're not really hearing what the speakers can do, even at lower listening levels.  Also, you've got single-ended amps which won't give you the bandwidth that a push-pull tube or SS amps will.  I'd shoot for at least 40 wpc, or if you insist on lower power, get something that has some decent low-end response.

@jrareform in my experience you really don't even need a treated room or ultra high end gear. You just need a decent room, decent equipment, and a GOOD setup. I've been in several rooms that offer this (including my own) and the difference between amps is pretty instantly apparent.