I had the opposite experience, I felt the Levinson 334 power amp on Verity Audio $17K speakers was better than the Sim AUdio W-5. I also own the Pass X-250 and I thnk that it also out performs the Sim.
The most improtant issue is how will the amps mate with your speakers, they all do not mate equally and so my opinion on the W-5 may be different on your speakes, you really have to try them to hear the trade offs.
The most improtant issue is how will the amps mate with your speakers, they all do not mate equally and so my opinion on the W-5 may be different on your speakes, you really have to try them to hear the trade offs.