Pass Labs or Audio Research Solid State Amplifiers

You may want to consider a couple of older (early 90s) ARC
solid-state amps: the D-240mkII (120wpc/8ohm) and the
D-400mkII (200wpc/8ohm). The amps are fully balanced
low-feedback class A/AB designs biased to run class A for
the first 15/30wpc while doubling power output as impedance
halves. Sound familiar? It should. The current Pass X-series
amps are almost exactly the same design-wise. And they sound
quite similar.

The current ARC 100.2 is similar in design to the D-240mkII
and the D-400mkII.

The ARC D-130/D-200/D-300 amps use much different circuits
than the D-240mkII/D-400mk/100.2 and are not as refined in
my experience.

I am currently running two ARC D-400mkIIs vertically biamped
into a pair of Kinetic Audio Labyrinths (large transmission
lines based on the old IMF designs). I couldn't be happier.
I used to drive them with two ARC D-200s, then two ARC
D-240mkIIs.

My ARC LS-5mkII pre has been a constant, however. Wonderful
synergy with the ARC tube pre and the ARC solid-state amps.

Seems like there are a number of people above who don't believe in Audio Research solid state gear, however I own the 100.2 amp (100 wpc at 8 ohms, 200 wpc at 4 ohms) and think it is an outstanding amp. You can read reviews about it on Audioreview.com. I compared it directly against the Audio Research VT-100 MkIII (tube) and a Bryston amp (ss), and I preferred the 100.2 by a large margin. Better control of the bass and plenty of power. It is a neutral amp that reproduces all types of music accurately without artifically coloring it, and it also works equally well at low volumes -- none of the detail or music is lost. If you have the opportunity, you should try to listen to the 100.2 and the other Audio Research amps listed by the poster above before writing them off your list.

I also listened to a Balanced Audio Technology VK-200 (100 wpc at 8 ohms), and was impressed by its power and accuracy. I preferred it over the Proceed HPA2 that I compared it to simultaneously. Both the 100.2 and the VK-200 run about $1,800-2,000 used here on Audiogon. I cannot recall the model Bryston amp I listened to, so I don't want to give you the impression they are not equal to Audio Research gear. There are a lot of positive comments about Bryston amps, such as the 4B-ST. I have not heard the Aleph amps, so I cannot comment on them.

I second the recommendation for the McCormack. Also, instead of buying a preamp, pick up a used Theta Miles CDP and run it directly to the amp. I used to have a Miles and it was great for rock and metal.

Audio Research LS3B preamp just rocks, but it's not as refined as some other preamps out there. I have one and I used it till I went with a passive control unit, to get that spooky last drop of info on Jazz and classical. It had tons of attack, a ton of gain, great if you like it loud, and I really liked the bass on it. I think it's selling for well under $1,000 now, and it's very reliable and has the classic ARC look. In it's day it was a sterophile class a.

Bryston is affordable and probably very good with hard rock. Plinius have great bass, but needs to be paired with a good preamp. The Audio Research tube preamps sound great with the Plinius amps.