If THD and S/N were all the buzz, we would never have things like tube amps, SETs, etc. where even 3% THD is not far from the norm, as well as s/n < 100dB.
It is no wonder that many audiophiles from the real world (you can find those only on various audio forums such as this one) assess this amp as "too clinical", "no emotion", etc. This is in sharp contrast to assessments of so called professional reviewers. Ask yourself why.
I'll start by asserting the following: neither Revel Ultima Salon 2 nor AHB2 that were used in most professional reviews are exceptional. Yes, you will find many praises for the two. But the MAJORITY of the real world audiophiles have already spoken. Nowadays, many people who bought Salon 2s regret their decision. MANY of them try to sell their speakers in very good condition on agon for less than half of the $22k msrp price, e.g. $10k, but are unable to. The word spread. The speakers were not worth $22k to begin with.
What about AHB2?
I'll answer by asking what about it's frequency range? What about slew rate? Rise time? It is widely known that as far as human ear is concerned both frequency range and slew rate are much more important than THD and other parameters (they are important, but not to the extent these other ones are). Ideally, the frequency range of an amplifier should be in the range 3MHz or more, but definitely more than 1MHz. Thus it is much better to design an amplifier with lower s/n and/or THD, and correspondingly higher frequency range and slew rate / rise time than vice versa. Only then you will get the so called "organic" sound, yet detailed and "you are there", "non fatigue" etc.
It is no wonder that many audiophiles from the real world (you can find those only on various audio forums such as this one) assess this amp as "too clinical", "no emotion", etc. This is in sharp contrast to assessments of so called professional reviewers. Ask yourself why.
I'll start by asserting the following: neither Revel Ultima Salon 2 nor AHB2 that were used in most professional reviews are exceptional. Yes, you will find many praises for the two. But the MAJORITY of the real world audiophiles have already spoken. Nowadays, many people who bought Salon 2s regret their decision. MANY of them try to sell their speakers in very good condition on agon for less than half of the $22k msrp price, e.g. $10k, but are unable to. The word spread. The speakers were not worth $22k to begin with.
What about AHB2?
I'll answer by asking what about it's frequency range? What about slew rate? Rise time? It is widely known that as far as human ear is concerned both frequency range and slew rate are much more important than THD and other parameters (they are important, but not to the extent these other ones are). Ideally, the frequency range of an amplifier should be in the range 3MHz or more, but definitely more than 1MHz. Thus it is much better to design an amplifier with lower s/n and/or THD, and correspondingly higher frequency range and slew rate / rise time than vice versa. Only then you will get the so called "organic" sound, yet detailed and "you are there", "non fatigue" etc.