Parasound A23+ vs. Emotiva XPA-DR2

A23+

Got one? What did it replace?

I am buying one to rotate in every once in a while to give my tube amps a rest, and for long-term low level listening, background music. Don’t need more than the first 3 watts of Class-A operation, for what I plan to use it for. While I don't expect it to displace my tube amps, from what I read so far, seems reasonable, eh?

Received the Parasound A23+ 2ch amplifier, 

Bought it to test and evaluate with some custom speakers to sample different amps. This A23+ is stout. Already exceeding expectations.

Trickle-down JC circuit and technology it seems. I’m a tube amp guy, various SS amps and prior tube amps. Comparing to SS amps at 2-2.5x the price. Runs Class A first 3 watts (not published), auto-sensing for turn on, gain level controls for matching. Nice tone, texture, JFET input stage and MOSFET drive stage.

Currently driving it with a Cary SLP-98 (6SN7) based tube preamplifier to get insight on potential. Very nice. Not harsh, no grain or glare, not bright, and enough detail and air. Has sort of a tube’ish leaning type of sound in subtle way. Not as much layering as higher end all-tube mono blocks of course, and better than many comparably priced SS amps. Decent sound stage and focus, speakers disappear on most tracks so far. It could open up even more with a few months burn-in, we’ll see. Reading it’s a little warmer than the larger JC amps, which I prefer, particularly for streamed content. Substantial build quality.

Wondering if others have done any long-term comparisons of this amp to amps at 2-3x the price?