For what it's worth, I do not think the NuForces offer "extra" resolution over other options. From the two weeks that I had them in my system, I thought they offered a Technicolor presentation, as if you turned the colors on your TV higher than natural. Faces become pink, all the yellows become canary, and the horzon is supernaturally sharp.
Sonically, this translates to an annoyingly unnatural presentation. Everything was edgier than it should be and I noticed all the little cymbal strikes and string plucks, to the detriment of the cohesive musical message. Instrumental tone was difficult to assess, as transients hid what might have lay underneath. It sounded very much like the speaker demo at the hi-fi shop that grabs your attention but is ultimately overblown in the long run.
When I read user reviews of equipment, I pay less attention to what points are made directly than how they are supported and secondary observations. I believe this method gets more to the point of what the listener was actually experiencing.
When you read listener-impressions of the NuForce amps, you will find a good number that support my impressions, though I admit we are in the minority. Of those touting the virtues of NuForce, look a little closer at the particular strengths they cite. What I have noticed and what you will too on second inspection is that the razor-sharp focus and explosive visuals have strongly influenced these opinions.
I am not saying there is anything wrong with these opinions. What I am saying is that these amplifiers (in my system and w/o power conditioning or expensive power cords) sound more than natural and that their perceived "extra" resolution is a byproduct of their topology, not some magic Windex applied to the window of resolution.
When I read reviews of the Channel Islands amps, the comments are not directed at their overachieving detail retrieval nor extraction of bug farts. Rather I hear the end-users telling of their beautiful and utter immersion in the whole. Yet, there are no comments on rolled-off extremes, softening of transients, or sharpness when needed. I have found this type of presentation far superior to the other in the long run.
My guess is that this generation of NuForce amps will ultimately be regarded as an important stepping stone toward some future plateau, and the Channel Islands amps a mature product for the long haul.
And I've never even heard 'em. How's THAT for presumption?
