Here’s my issue with ASR
Several years ago when building a stereo system I discovered ASR who strongly recommended the Benchmark line. I purchased their DAC, Pre and Amp. While I found I was mostly satisfied with the result. Then after a few years I became dissatisfied with how clinical the sound seemed. I particularly was not happy with how the upper mids and lower treble were presented and found them somewhat bright and up front. So eventually over several months I replaced the Benchmak units. When I posted on ASR that I found an amplifier that sounded much better to me than the Benchmark (the Accuphase P4600) I was told there was no way any amp would sound better than the Benchmark since it tested perfectly. I was imagining it. I had convinced myself it was better since I spent the money. I told them I had compared several amps to the Benchmark (Bryston, Mac, NAD) using my speakers and DAC and the Bryston and Accuphase were noticeably superior. They refused to believe it and basically told me I was delusional. Seemed pretty rigid in thinking. Refused to believe any amp would noticeably audibly perform better than the Benchmark in my system. Seemed a little cult like to me as there are some there that can be quite hardcore.