Not entirely sure just how emotional an amp can be and still convey neutrality.... I will say, however, I got pretty dog gone emotional letting go of the money for my last amp. All sorts of emotions. Does that count?
I don't think an emotional anything is 'a', or 'the', key. I think perhaps the so often sought 'positive emotion', that may result, is from the mix of components and peripherals. It's tuff enough to mix neutral pieces together to obtain great results. Let alone introducing devices with colorful traits, or their own unique characteristics.
....don't think so? Put a great amp with a poor preamp, or source, or speakers, or have all great stuff and poor wires, or still worse lovely components, wires, etc. but with power that sucks to high heaven. No, for my money I'd as soon have the right mix and not a mixed up (emotional), amp.
Involving, emotional, enthralling, and just plain 'Wow!' seem, IMO, to come as a result of a combination of things, proper tweaks, and careful attention to both synergy & placement.
Along the way to the desired 'audio nirvana' I will assure you some sort of emotional encounters. . . and for your sake I hope they are all positive.
For myself, they usually follows the opening of a heavy wallet, and the closing of a now, empty one, or a poor choice of a device that works well with some things, but poorly with others... and the absolute worst emotions stem from finding it for hundreds less shortly after buying it and being unable to return it... Now I'd consider that an emotional amp. Wouldn't you?
