Adcom is a "wham bam, thank you ma'am" product. The only exception I have found is their "high end" stereo pre-amp...as long as you keep it OUT of passive mode.

Rotel is more laid back, but I think it is hard to beat Parasound as an "all arounder". Their entry level piece is right around $500 if I remember right.

I can't back tommy with his 555II. I had a 545II and it was bright and "in your face" on Maggies. Happy to get rid of it. Did real well on resale though. Adcom was still a hot property when I dumped it. Not like today, then they were still kind of a Stereophile darling.