The closest way i can describe it when i went from a CJ MV60 (EL34 60-watt amp which was reviewed as 'destined to become a long-term classic' back in the day)...to my Gryphon Antileon...and then to my Gryphon Colosseum:
- I managed to keep the midrange magic of a CJ
- But the detail, noise floor, soundstage and capability to delineat a complex orchestra all increased by orders of magnitude
- and the bass became ballistic, powerful, detailed and a lot of effortless fun
- And when i went from Antileon to Colosseum, the treble became far more filigreed, natural, extended...while maintaining the elements above of the Antileon, but cleaner, with lower noise floor
I am fundamentally a tube guy in the mids-section...but i dont miss them though i do still retain CJ GAT preamp and of course, Zanden 4-box source. And i get a ton of effortless power. I have had no desire to consider another amp for years and probably wont unless i go up to a speaker that requires monos...in which case for me it would be Gryphon monos without any hesitation.
I have A/Bd my Antileon against big Krells, ARCs, and heard the same system on a different day with Boulder, Constellation, D'Agostino. All great...but i dont feel any need to investigate them further. I am very happy and consider myself blessed to have such sound at home.