Most likely it was the speakers—many models of high cost but mediocre performance out there. The room and speakers account for 75%+ of the sound of most systems.
Finally heard Accuphase
I heard it at T.H.E. Show last weekend.
I was pretty shocked at how bad they were. Of course there are many variables at a show, but they were in more than one room. The sound was so wishy-washy and vague and uninvolving I couldn't get past it.
And I was hearing stacks of like $50k ,75k worth. A $3k Sugden sounds about the same, if memory serves. Or even the $8k Yamaha. More or less. But to spend that money on these amps makes no sense. Just build your own tube amp for $1500.
Whats going on with this brand?
To be fair, I also heard a $300k system that sounded more or less like a good PA system at a small concert venue that costs like, IDK $10k or something. This stuff is making no sense anymore.