Cliff notes level review:
This thing is an absolute beast of an amp, no two ways about it. There was a very definite sense with the Moon ACE of it struggling (understandably) to really get a grip on things. The Bel Cantos were definitely closer to having a grip, but there’s an effortlessness to the sound from this thing that walks all over both of them.
Most noticeable things are the bass has some genuine weight behind it, the mid-range is noticeably fuller and richer, and the top end no longer has a somewhat harsh, brittle kind of sound that it had with the Bel Cantos in particular for me.
They do lose a tiny fraction of a point for the fact that you have to run a hardwired Cat5 connection between the unit and the router in order to get it set up wirelessly. First time I’ve run into that, don’t really understand the thought process behind it, but thankfully we had some spare Cat5 lying around so it was achievable. Could have been fairly frustrating had I needed to go shopping for some.
Glad you found something that works well with the Peaks. I’m amazed that you found the BC had a harsh top end. I have never heard an Evo sound like that and I have had a few along the way. Anyway a good result with the EC.
I think the way I perceive top end stuff must be quite different to a lot of people. I love old Triangles, which lots of people find too bright, but hate B&Ws for being way too toppy, which most people seem to think sound fine.
Rocking chair now freed. Ditto coffee table that had been roped into amp rack duties.