Old Amp vs. New Amp

Also, some manufacturers like SMc Audio (McCormack), Atma-Sphere (tubes)and Ayre update their older models. So, you wouldn't have to worry about not being able to get either repairs or getting the most up to date version.
Regarding cables, it would simplify a lot if you went with balanced connections which aren't as fussy as RCA. Even an inexpensive cable will give you plenty of dynamics.
Class D amps intrigue me, but it seems the jury is out. Some swear by them, other less so. Though the prices are attractive.
Bob

I'm kinda partial to the big old tanks myself.  They look like beasts because they are!

A 10 lb amp that sits 2" high just doesn't look very imposing.

I do plan on using balanced cables.  I have heard a lot of good things about those, and my preamp supports them.

" Thanks for your input.  Honestly I am a little skeptical about class D.  I don't really have a reason to be though."  

   
   petrela,

     Very normal and healthy to be skeptical.  I was initially skeptical, too.  

      About 3 yrs ago, my older class A/B Aragon 4004 MKII died of old age due to leaking caps in the power supply.  I didn't want to spend $1,000 to repair an almost 20 yr old amp so I bought a classDaudio SDS-440CS amp for $630.   I thought this would be a temporary solution until I bought another good quality class A/B amp for considerably more money.  I figured there was little risk since it came with a money back guarantee for 3 weeks.

     I was still skeptical when I was inserting this little amp into my system.  I thought: How could an amp that was 1/3rd the size, weight and price of my former Aragon match its performance? But this amp outperformed my old amp in every quality most of us care about; better bass control and response, much lower noise floor, better dynamics,more detailed while having a similar sound staging and smooth mid-range and treble response that never approached harshness.  It was the best amp I ever used in my system up to that point.

     I've noticed frequent skeptical posts from audio forum members about class D amps but rarely are they from actual users and it's typically fairly obvious from their comments that they've never even auditioned a good class D amp in their own system or any other system.

      Regardless,  I definitely think you'd be happy with an older tube or class A amp and possibly even with one that predominately operated in class A if you're willing to pay a steep price.
                    
Hope this helped you,
     Tim

Interesting!  Thanks Tim.  

I had never heard of Classdaudio.  I just looked at their website.

Certainly something to consider.