Excuse me for gushing a bit - I just purchased a Plinius 8200 MKII (so maybe take what I say with a grain of salt?) for my Apogee Centaur Majors (between 86 and 89dB efficient), and with an excellent, smooth player like the Gamut CD-1, it totally rocks my house effortlessly and musically. I would not say that this is the be-all and end-all of hi-fi sound, but I think it could be compared with the very best without embarassing itself in any way. I jumped at mine because I just can't find another way to get so much power AND quality for the used price. I'm quite impressed with the bass, and I'm sure that you can get better, but not with a much smaller amp - I believe that you'd have to look at amps sporting 125+ watts to beat it significantly and in this price range, you won't find much. I'm happy that these amps are undervalued on the used market, despite their Golden Ear award and other such great press becaue I got mine for a song.
The problem with the Plinius, I think, is that it is TOO honest and TOO neutral for many people - you really have to have a great source (like the Gamut CD-1) to get the most out of it. If you like tubey warmth and "air" then you'll miss it with this amp because while it is very warm and bloomy and full-bodied *for an SS amp* (not hint of leanness so far), it's no tube amp. Anyway, that's the sound I prefer, and to qualify that statement, I'll say that I've heard Audio Aero Capitole MK II players through Tenor OTL 75s on several occasions with several speakers, and while the quality and magical beauty of the sound from that front-end can hardly be beat, there is still a slight tubey "halo" around voices that puts me off a little. The plinius gives you most of that "quality" (and I don't hesitate to say "most" or even "more" in some regards) and plenty of musicality without any tube effects. If there is a fault in that sound, I'd say that it's not inherently "engaging" like the AA/Tenor setup I described, but if the music on the recording is engaging, and your player is awesome, then you will be engaged.
My 8200 MKII is currently at Chris' house driving his De Capos (92dB) with great finesse, and largely the same sound characteristics. Soundstage is neither forward nor recessed, and the neutrality and cleanliness of the sound is amongst the best I've heard, so I'd say that this amp is just not "finicky" meaning that you can buy this amp based on other peoples' recommendations without worring about whether it will sound at its best in your system.
So far, I've listened to a very wide range of music with this amp, and it does not fail to impress. Whether you want to pick out new-found individuals amongst the subtly layered voices in a choir performing Bach's motets, sense the wood in the violins plucking out Revel, or feel you heart bouncing against your ribcage from blasting Prodigy at 100+dB (distortion-free), I heartily recommend the Plinius 8200 MKII.
Anthony
