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 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.