The highlight of last year (and the last 3 decades, to be frank) was buying a LehmannAudio Stamp power amplifier on a whim, just to see what it was like.
This uses the (long disappeared) Tripath chip (genuine chip though, unlike quite a few alleged cheap Tripath amps out there) in a very high quality implementation (see web site for details). I've always liked Tripath amps from when Bel Canto used them in their Evo product.
The Stamp replaced a Moon 330a (a very good amp indeed), preceded by a Chord Ultima 6, Bel Canto Ref 501s, Bel Canto 600M and a few others. In my system, the Stamp is head and shoulders above all of these. It produces an amazingly open and engaging sound, with a vast soundstage. The speakers are wonderfully controlled and bass is tuneful and fulsome. Sounds really do just hang in the air. Attack and decay are all just spot on.
This amp only produces a low output, so certainly not for many systems. However, if you have 90dB+ speakers, with a reasonably benign impedance curve, then you really should give one of these a go. I listen at around 70-78db about 2.5m from the plane of my speakers (Zinglai Neo Sei). I have tried the system at much higher levels; no sound of compression or the amp having any difficulties at all.
The amp casing is sealed, so avoiding dust contamination. The casing does not rise above the room ambient temperature. The amp uses a couple of watts, at most. Virtually nothing when no signal present. It's small, so it's tucked away out of sight. It is completely silent. No nouse from the amp. With no signal and my ear in the horn of a tweeter on my i2dB sensitive speakers there is no detectable nouse at all. No hiss. No hum. Nada.
I've had dozens and dozens of components over my 45+ years with hifi system. This is probably the real stand out product for me.
In the right system and room, you'd have to pay very serious money to better this. I liked this amp so much, I subsequently bought another one (both new), just in case of any future problems. I very much doubt I'll buy any more amps.
A paragon of inner greatness: This Lehmannaudio stereo power amplifier Stamp convinces with its inner values. Music lovers are raving about the excellent sound quality and the small dimensions of this power amp.
www.lehmannaudio.com
