Completely agreed on the THX amps.
Here's my story:
Two years ago (Pre covid) I was looking for a reference amplifier for some technical work. My eyes were set on the benchmark hpa4. However I couldn't find a unit to audition. I tried all other thx amps in the mean time (both on the bench and subjectively). It's true these measure well but they are probably the most unengaging amps I've ever heard (thx789, smsl sp200). Finally i found an hpa4 and I thought it would be different but honestly it was only "marginally" better than the sp200. For 3k usd that was probably the most overrated piece of gear i have ever heard. Measures well sounds absolutely sterile. I also found it rather underwhelming for current hungry cans like the he6se. All in all a complete flop show on the ears.
In the process I also auditioned the GSX-MK2, GSX Mini, kinki thr-1, sparkos aries, pass hpa1, beta 22 (balanced), bryston bha1, and a few others. Out of all these I found the GSX-MK2 and the bryston to be worth their salt (also maybe the kinki to some extent) (beta 22 was a diy project so I'll exclude that).
Meanwhile I had never considered the V281 or other Violectric amps as most people called them "warm" and grainy. Luckily I met a fellow over another forum who had just got the V550 and I went to his place to listen to it. I found it to be very detailed and clean although for the same price I was favouring the GSX MK2.
Two weeks later, one of my friends introduced me to this guy who had the V281. I wasn't keen on visiting him initially but since the lockdowns had lifted I took a small holiday and went to his place. Oh boy was I surprised!! The 281 was unlike anything I had heard. I still can't understand why people call it warm coz it was nothing like that at all. I think the right word is "organic". The only amp that does well with any headphone you can throw at it while at the same time maintaining that sweet old school solid state sound (old naim or leben speaker amps come to mind). The transient response and decay of the notes was something I had not experienced ever on my fostex 909s. It is transparent and detailed but has that well rounded "non-hifi" sound that most modern amps lack. The newer generation amps strive for detail and dynamics but end up sounding sharp and unnatural.
I had a budget of 4k usd and still bought the V281 (Got the FE version). Couldn't be more happier. This amp will be inherited in my family.