Thomas,
Just out of curiosity, how did you get PM 1.8 a few weeks ago when it only came out on June 1? It hasn't even been two weeks yet?
In any case, I can't see how anyone can take that review seriously. I have never read a credible audio review where a device was reviewed without some tweaking to the settings or installation. Especially the more digital a product with more complex features... spinners, D/A converters, AV receivers, surround sound processors, etc. rarely sound their very best out of the box. My very expensive processor shipped with upsampling turned off. If I returned or sold off that processor without evaluating what it sounded like with upsampling turned on, I would be an idiot. If someone gave me a dCS processor, and I chose to sell it after it's lackluster sound at 44.1 instead of upsampling it, who would be the fool? I would, because I failed to test the processor's full known capabilities.
My speakers shipped with the rear-firing tweeter turned on. Guess what? The image is a lot more focused with the rear-firing tweeter turned off. Could I legitimately be disappointed with that speaker if I hadn't experimented with the tweeter setting, toe-in, etc.? My TV shipped with high frame rate processing that makes film look like HD video. I had to turn that feature off. My subwoofer had to have its crossover adjusted upon installation, and my SSP needed distance and phase settings. These are all basic requirements in order to get the best out of the product.
I've never heard Amarra, so I'm not at all saying that one product is better than the other. But as for the quality of the review, well, what review?