Randy,
I talked with Steve on a similar issue just last week. (He is out of town this week, so if you have called or emailed and haven't heard from him, that's why.) I currently own a DNA-125 Platinum revision and discussed the merits of monoblock platinum 125's against the 500. He told me the monblock platinum 125's would sound a little better, and I believe he stressed a little better *with capable-enough electronics on the front end.* That told me, whether correctly or not, that the 500 is the way to go unless you are building a truly world-class, second-to-none system. The 500 would also be right at home in such a system, but would be outperformed by the monoblock platinum 125's or 225's. But we're talking platinum revisions here, which are $2400 each for the 125's and $2700 each for the 225's.
By implication, I would assume the 500 would outperform stock 225 monoblocks (well, stock other than the $350 Steve charges to convert the 125/225 to monoblocks) to some degree, again depending on the capabilities of your front end.
Steve has also posted (on a'gon, I think) that the 500 is a completely different amplifier than the 125 and 225. All the parts inside are superior to the 125/225, it is a zero-feedback, fully differential amp (as others here have noted) and, unlike the 125/225, which were built to a price point, was designed to be a world-class reference amplifier without the strict cost constraints of the 125/225. I'm sure Steve would perform mods to the 500 if he were asked. I don't know for sure, but I suspect the 500 doesn't have the carbon-siltech wire, or the MusiCoat treatment, but probably has all the other upgrades. These upgrades - and I'm guessing here based on what Steve has written about these two upgrades on his website- would "sweeten" the sound a bit without necessarily adding transparency. As a result, alot of folks would likely try to match a tube pre or a sweeter sounding front end or pre with the 500 to achieve a similar effect.
Here's another review of the 500, by the way, which is the second review I've seen that lauds the 500 as the best SS amplifier in existence. It tops the Clayton Audio M100 monblocks, and that's high praise, indeed:
http://www.iar-80.com/page5.htmlES347, as an aside, I owned a DNA-0.5 Rev. A before the 125 Platinum. I loved that .5, but it did have a "sonic signature." The Virginia-series amps (125/225/500) are much more neutrual and transparent, and do not impart any sound of their own that I can hear (in Platinum form, at least.) However, if you're captivated by the .5, I think you'll be even happier with revisions to that amp, and would be less happy with the new Virginia series. I don't believe you would find the Virginia-series amps to be an "upgrade" to your ears necessarily. I would say you have likely found your perfect amp - congratulations!!
I've read more times than I can count that lower powered amps are "sweeter" than high powered ones. Although I believe this was propogated by tube lovers, I have read SS guys write such things. I haven't heard the 500, but I've heard the 125 and 225 platinums and they sound equally transparent, fast, and whatever else you'd like to compare aside from power. So here's a thought for you: perhaps you should look at your amp power - since you have it already - like hard drive space. Sure, you don't come close to filling that 300 gig drive
now, but what about a few years when you're in a new house with a bigger audio room, and driving speakers that need plenty of watts to truly sing?
Bottom line, Randy, is that you're going to take a bit of a hit in performance if you go down to the 225. While still the best performer in its class, there's only one champion of all SS amps, and you own it. I would think it a mistake to sell it unless you believe it outclasses the rest of your system and you will never upgrade the other parts to match the class of the 500.
FWIW,
Howard
