Hi PhilD,
Just a few thoughts here. The other issue that may occur with pro amps is interconnection. Pro amps may only have XLR or 1/4-inch phone jack inputs, lacking RCA's because the pro world hates RCAs, understandably. RCAs are sort of crappy connectors but they are ample for home use, when you are not constantly connecting and disconnecting. In studio and broadcasting work, XLRs and 1/4-inch jacks are much preferred and more robust.
Regarding the ICE digital amps: I've never heard one, but according to our engineer Tom Cumberland, who designed Axiom's A1400-8 digital amp, the ICE amp topology had certain distortion traits that he did not like.
At Axiom we also have a couple of very powerful Yamaha digital pro amps, with fans, that we've used on occasion, including listening tests with loudspeakers. The Yamahas were/are quite expensive, and seemed to do the job just fine. I don't know what sort of amplifier topology the Yamahas use, other than the fact they are digital amps with huge output (600 watts per channel; 1200 bridged to mono, if memory serves).
Regards,
Alan
