a good quality amplifier does only one thing: make the signal stronger. that's all.

as regards comparative tests, the first thing to make sure of is that the amps MUST be adjusted to put out the same exact voltage with a given sine wave signal. a voltmeter must be used for that.

the brain is very finicky for SPL, but it has a very short memory.

Bacon is delicious.

The design of the amp has a lot to do with how it accomplishes the stronger signal, and what portion of the signal.

A class A amp, amplifies the entire sign wave, and is also the least efficient design.. a class AB amp only amplifies a portion of the sign wave which makes it more efficient than a class A amp, it is also less expensive to manufacture a class AB amp with the same power rating as a comparable class A amp. The Emotiva amp is a AB amp, the Odessey is a A/AB amp, and i could not find out the design of the Anthem, but i would guess is is a AB or some combination design... if the Odessey was operating in class A then that would possibly explain why it sounded the best and had the most dynamics. The Odessey most likely operates in the class A region for the first given % of the power, as you draw more power from it, it then switches to an AB operation, if you guys did not turn the volume up insanely loud the Odessey was probably operating in the class A region during your "testing" which was amplifying the entire sign wave, not a portion of it like the Emotiva is doing and possibly the Anthem as well... If you played all of the amps a higher volume, when all amps would be operating as an AB amplifier then i would guess there would be no discernable difference between them at that point.

when we change the amp, we re-run the Audessey of the Onkyo NR808 (as a pre amp) and all channel are calibrated to 75db using a radioshack SPL meter.

The volume dial on the Onkyo is at -10db all the time.

the problem is the huge delay in between setting each amp up, you need special equipment that you can switch in an instant from one amp to another, for a true blind a/b test.

Yeah, but nothing fries up bacon wraped deer links better than a class A amp. That there is a fact.

As for the topic, pick your side, buy your amp/receiver accordingly, be happy.

STOP TEMPTING ME!

With deer or an avr/amp?

AVR. I have all the deer I can handle, I'm told.

But do all amps taste the same?