laid back stereo power amp

A little known secret is Maggies require far less power when they're high-passed with an active 4th-order filter. This allows you to use almost any amp you desire over 40 WPC or so. An Active high-pass like the Marchand XM66 is much easier on the wallet than a $6000 Magtech. 

AVA gear is a great value though and I suspect you'll be very happy with the SET400. Frank is also a class act all the way.

i do not agree with auxinput’s characterization of odyssey amps being bright

I did not say Odyssey amps were bright at all.  Odyssey amps are very neutral, but very fast and high resolution.  The OP was specifically asking for "laid back" amps and while Odyssey amps may sound very good in this situation, they would not be laid back.

It was the Emotiva amps I was describing as "bright".

@auxinput 

fair enough... i misread what you wrote... you associated brightness with the other amp brand you mentioned in the same paragraph

all good

Definitely in agreement with the AVA gear symmetry. With the $2000 price target, seems to be the logical move.

Another vote for Odyssey—not because it’s laid back but because your preamp could be. Amp sounds great. Built right. No class D. The designer talks to people. I bought my �Stratos DM from a guy that had used it for years with Maggies.