I know what you're talking about as I'm really getting interested in lights that use AA NiMh batteries. I have several.
Quark AA2 Tactical. My first good AA light. It's a nice quality light with lots of modes but doesn't really give me the WOW factor that you have mentioned.
Klarus P2A and Jetbeam BA20. Both a little brighter than the Quark. Both have better throw and better battery run time on two AA NiMh batteries. They are very similar in size, weight, UI and the price is the same at $39.90 which is a bargin as far as I'm concerned. They both tail stand which is a feature that the Quark AA2 Tactical doesn't have. I get a little more WOW from these lights.
iTP C7. It's a discontinued model that uses one AA NiMh battery. Shiningbeam still has them and they are a bargin at about $25. It's not that this little light is so bright but that it has a small beam that thrown better than any of my other single AA lights. Feels like it's built like a tank. The WOW of this light is in the throw for a small single battery light along with the low price.
Xeno E03. Doesn't really give me any WOW with AA NiMh batteries but like stated before, pop in a 14500 Li/ion and let the WOW begin. Too bad that the WOW doesn't last very long because the light heats up fast and battery life on high with a 14500 is poor.
Zebra H51. The light output doesn't really inspire a WOW in me. The WOW from this light is that they have packed so many features in such a small light. Construction, build and finish are top of the line.
Now for a real WOW!!!!! Just got a couple of Fenix TK41 lights. Uses 8 AA NiMh batteries. Bought one for a friend and after lighting it up, I had to have one for myself. Is it small? Well that depends on how you relate it to other lights. It's only 8.5 inches long and about as big around as a D cell MagLight. Not something you can stick in your pocket unless you have big pockets. Still it's about the size of the 2 D cell flashlights that we all grew up with. One click on the forward mounted clicky and the WOW factor peaks pretty good. At 800 lumens, it's no slouch. Make no mistake, this light is a thrower. That doesn't mean that it doesn't have any spill because it does but boy does this baby throw. I pulled out my laser range finder and scoped out around the house. There are some trees off to the northwest that I ranged at over 500 yards. I'm not going to tell you that it illuminates them at that distance but I can still make them our. Out to 200-250 yards or more you can see everything. Makes an old barn at 125 yards look like someone turned the porch light on. I can't believe Fenix packed so much power and light into a handheld torch that only burns AA batteries. Got to love it. Oh by the way. The strobe is the most effective strobe that I have on any of my lights. Just looking at it shining on the wall makes me want to puke. WOW!