Best Amps you've heard

One thing I take away every time I go to a show is that the systems in the best rooms, acoustically, are those that sound the best. Regardless of the partnering equipment. There's the odd exception where the speakers are poor (usually some incredibly expensive boutique design) but they are rare.

Also the odd one or two where they use a turntable as source and it isn't that great, probably because it is not set up properly.

Can only think of a couple where it was the amplification letting the side down, and that has always been valve amps - soft, soggy bass and rolled off top. OFC some people like that. (not saying that is the sound of valves, just certain valve amps combined with certain speakers).

Like for instance Alchris Audio always use EAR amps to demo their speakers - big mistake IMO.

So yes, assuming the amp can drive the speakers properly and they are using a digital source, the overall sound quality is almost all about speaker/room. If that's wrong you will never get good sound, It doesn't matter how much the rest of the set-up cost or how well it performs on the bench or in reviews. Any little difference in amp or DAC 'sound signature' will be totally swamped and becomes irrelevant.