PARADIGM REFERENCE SPEAKERS

I had pair of 60's for a couple of years. I had better luck with good, fairly powerful solid state. I ended up with a small tube amp and it didn't work to well the the Paradigms.

I just recently auditioned the 80s and 100s. Both are great speakers. The 80s, to me, sounded warmer, but at some points also seemed sloooowww. The 100s on the other hand, while seemingly more open, with some songs tended towards the bright side. Ultimately, for me, had I the choice between the two I would have taken the 80s, but my room size and amplification has a lot to do with that choice, as it should with you. The bass on both is equal to that of speakers I've since heard in double the price range.
I don't know your musical preferences or financial flexibility, but my strongest recoomendation is to really listen to more speakers, from different manufacturers. Once you've made your choice, go out and listen again! Seriously, by then you'll know what you like and dislike. And if you find you like something more expensive than Paradigms look on the used market and be patient. Good Luck

Oh yeah, amplification too! Mostly, I've heard them driven by Rotel equipment. Now I don't know enough about all the dynamics involved in amplifiers. I know you put this plug here and that wire there and what MY ears like. That being said, I liked them best when heard with Rotel amps.

I run my Paradigm Studio Reference 100 v.2's with an Arcam 10 Integrated (100 w/channel) and an Arcam 8SE CD front. I am very pleased, although I would note that the Arcam products, while super fast, clean and accurate, are a bit laid back in the high end. The positive qualities of the Arcam products (soundstage, imaging, bass reproduction and just plain musicality) match well with the Paradigms and far outweigh any hesitancy in the high end.

The Paradigm 100 v.2's are extremely neutral speakers with an outstanding accuracy in the mids and low end. I would recommend a mid fi solid state integrated amp or equivalent separates. Rotel, Arcam, Bryston or Adcom products will work well. Were I to buy new separates for my Paradigms I would match an Adcom GFP-750 Preamp to a Bryston 4B-ST. This would be bliss for my budget.

If you are going into the stratosphere with amps, then you will want to buy something other than Paradigm speakers.

I've owned a pair of Studio 60's for over a year now. They have been driven by a Denon receiver, a NAD 2400 power amp, and B&K AV6000 multi-channel power amp. With the separates I used both a Rotel and a B&K A/V preamp. I wanted something that was involving and enjoyable to listen to on a variety of material (from classical and jazz to rock). Ultimately, I found the B&K pre- and power amps to be the best match for the Sudio 60's. Although I haven't auditioned them, I would suggest that you listen to the Odyssey Audio Stratos power amp. And, as I always do, I encourage you to audition several pre- and power amps before making a decision.