Need some juice --- High power amps

Add the Aragon 8008BB to yor list of affordable powerhouses.I have 2 systems.System 2 has seen many well regarded and very expensive amps come and go.The Aragon has stayed in my other system for 4 years without a thought of replacing it(except maybe for Palladium Monos).

I also would suggest adding the Clayton amps to your list.

Let me say first that I've never listened to any of the amps on your list nor the Clayton.

But assuming you have full-range dynamic driver speakers, and not hearing either, I'd guess the Clayton, Edge NL-12, and McCormack DNA-500 would easily surpass the other 3 contenders. Not only in speed, but potentially offering a far more robust, tight, deep, and simply more realistic bass and overall sonic reprodution.

However, I would challenge you to find a better more powerful and controlling amp than the McCormack DNA-2 Revision A model. Perhaps the most tube-like sounding mid-range ss amp, but with all the speed and fantastic bass that only the most powerful and best built solid state amps can muster.

If you should try the Clayton, Edge NL-12, the DNA-500, or a DNA-2 Revision A amp and if you do not presently own some of the better speaker cables available, I'd also highly recommend you audition the relatively inexpensive Audience Au24 speaker cables at the same time. (some reviewers consider the Au24 better than the Nordost Valhallas).

These tiny Au24 cables do so much to minimize time-smear, that with any of these three amps, you should hear a bass reproduction that few even know exists. On some lesser amps, the Au24s can sound as though some of the bass has disappeared, even though certain aspects of the bass may sound so much better.

-IMO

I second what audiofankj had to say. On a tough load, or on an easy load, the H2O lets you into the music. You won't be thinking in terms of tight bass, warm mids, or airy highs. It's the music in all it's glory, when it comes to the H2O's performance. I'm running my H2O Signature monos on the 1 ohm Scintilla. There is no bigger amp hog.

Power rating specs can be misleading,I have amps rated at 800 watts not delivering the power of 200 watts rated amps.You could add to your list YBA Passion 1000 monos(some one on audiogon was selling a pair)Gryphon amps there are a number of high power ones both class A,monos or stereos.Gryphons can be very expensive and very heavy.A recently available digital amp rated at 1000 watts at 4 ohms and very cheap,light and cool is Acoustic Reality 1001,they also make an expensive version of the same amp.Their amps sound great.The YBA are the best sounding amp I have ever listened to.