Bryston 4B3 is an amazing machine, real dual-mono, separate power and transformers. And (important to me!)- made in Canada. This is the only amplifier from your list that I actually heard.

Another amplifier you can look at is Accuphase M6200. It has a similar designto 4B3, with arrangement of two completely identical amplification circuits. It also has very low impedance (1200W into 1ohm. A close friend of mine has this god-like machine and its ownership remains my personal goal. If you get a chance to check it out, don't let it pass by.

Good luck!

For the kind of dough you are planning to spend and the aim(s) you intend to achieve, why not plan a or a few weekend trips to audition the other two amps that you don't have easy access to? Of course, as I assume you already know, in order to achieve fair assessment(s) of the equipment involved in these trips or auditions, the trips should obviously be scheduled and carefully orchestrated so as to replicate, as much as possible, your home sound room acoustics & equipment. I haven't heard the specific amplifiers you mentioned but have done serious seat-time with Rotel and McIntosh amplifiers, over the years. For that kind of moolah, I would encourage you to have a serious listen to the big MAC on your list. There's a review of it here in Stereophile. Good luck with the heavy lifting!

Congratulations! Now, strap in, settle in, put on your favorite tunes, get your favorite beverage in hand and enjoy the glorious music! All the best!

I bought the project pre box s2 digital because I wanted to upgrade on the cheap to mqa. The way my int is cocfigured the only way to use the s2 was by the variable outs of the s2 to the fixed inputs and controlling volume by the s2 box. As a Dac I find the s2 digital competitive but i'm not sure about the volume control when compared to dedicated pre amps.

I have an SAE two vintage 1981 that I have used until now. I have not fired it up for a few years. It is in my bedroom in an enviromental friendly atmosphere. Now, when I power up, I do not hear the usual click of the power supply kicking in, so I cannot get sound out of any of the devices connected to it. I have not changed any of the cabling. Can something go wrong by the amp just sitting idle for a few years? If so, how do I fix this?

Sorry for piggy backing on to this other thread, but I saw no way to start a new thread. What's the secret for this?