the Hegel H160 is 3.5, just like the yamaha although the yamaha can be found at a good discount.
the yamaha is the best looking amp out of all the ones I am looking at.
the hegel has been under the radar for a while but with vocal support from those that have heard it- basically it sounds like a true class A amp. the latest stereophile review upped t a few notches, i trust them.
i'm taking my time putting together a list of amps / speakers and i want them to be my last.
the yamaha a-s1000 is on the list as are the hegel h160, T + A power plant (german solid state amp, stereophile class A), creek 100a, marantz pm14s1, parasound p5/ a21, parasound integrated, yamaha a-s2100, luxman 505ux, 505ax.
i would also be interested in the new sony ES integrated class A amp if it had a balance control (which it doesn't).