Tbh DM, I've not heard the latest incarnation of Audiolab amps. The older ones were fairly mechanical sounding. You speak highly of the newer version.
I once had an 8000S when it was released many years ago and it was exactly that, mechanical. Sold it shortly afterwards.
The latest Audiolabs don't sound like many other entry level amplifiers (or previous Audiolabs). To my ears ... mature and well balanced. Certainly not cold or analytical. Good bass weight and control too. Great dynamics and it seems more powerful than it's rating.
It's not perfect of course and it doesn't quite have the solidity of presentation or detail of my Hegel but it's not far off ... at a third of the cost.
Denon's PMA 1600 or a Rega Brio, to mention two sound more show room but are less balanced or neutral overall. They will impose their character on everything you listen to. That may be a good thing if you like that but if you don't ... not so much. The Audiolab tells as is and thus a change of source, recording quality etc is clear. There is nothing harsh about it though, quite the opposite.
My Arcam SA20 too imposes it's sound, especially bass and some mid range warmth because of it on music and thus tends to homogenise a little. It's not unpleasant but likely not as accurate.
Not everyone will enjoy the Audiolab, but I have been in this hobby for a long time, heard/owned many amplifiers.
The Audiolab is one of the better ones imho at the cost and beyond. That it is also solidly built and featured just adds value.