They are good amps, Marco, They really are. Just because they don't blow yer mind with dynamics, doesn't mean the way they present themselves isn't a very valid alternative. They will play loud in 4 Ohm pentode mode, and sound bold and architecturally strong at high volume. They do loud in a refined, effortless, somewhat laid back, easy manner. That's no less valid than fucking your head up with proficient current dumping like a Parasound A21. And that really will blow your mind at high volume at a tenth of the cost.
I liked them more than most people seemed to. I just appreciated their subtle approach, more so as time went on. My wife avidly prefers the 40 year old Accuphase M-60s. So did Jon the Apogee restorer only last weekend. Jerry couldn't be arsed to come round and listen to them.
They grew on me as time went on.
Most 211 circuits I hear I have to say sound very similar. They're usually far more dynamic than the Ayon. Bass dynamics and a fleshy, outward, full, dynamic sound, with an extended bottom end seem to be a common trait of the breed, single ended or PP. This is possibly at the expense of a refined top end it would seem. They can be a little brash up there with some speakers. Audio Note Tomei on AN/Es share many attributes of my amps. Even my amps driving AN/Es sound very similar in many ways to the Tomei. Maybe it is the circuit topologies being used rather than the valve. I can't be sure.
Anyway, enough of this subjectivism. It is total dross really. It is all in my head, and probably isn't in yours. It is a personal journey after all.
Guess I'll never be a hi-fi reviewer. I'm too aware that the words that I speak are meaningless