Best amp for 5k used? SS or Tube


Hi I am looking for a new amp for around 5k used. You can view my current system here: http://cgim.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/vs_user.pl?vevol&1020195264

Any comments on any of the following amps would be helpful. Also, any new suggestions or advice would be welcome as well. I think an amp with at least 150 watts in 8 ohms is ideal for solid state. As for tube I don’t think it makes difference as long as it can go up to 105 db.


My main choices are:

Edge NL 10 – the best choice I think

LAMM M1.1 monos

Gamut 250 monos

A Rowland amp … not sure which one

BAT VK – 1000

PASS X-250 (sounds the same as the 350 on my speakers)

Bel Canto EVO Monos

Tube amps are possible too as my speakers are about 94 db efficient. But SS is preferable because I don’t want to deal with the tube hassle. Comments are welcome. Thanks in advance for all who help.
lordgorian
Hi stewart i have discussed this on the phone with you a few times. I have looked into pass amps but many of my friends who own talon speakers really dont seem to like them. They also only got a meager review in TAS. Still i must admit i'm sure that they go really well with the talons and they have a cleanliness to them that i really admire. Is the edge equipment as clear and clean as the pass and bel canto gear? As for the other reccomendations... I'll look into the new AW 220s but can they really be that much better than the NEMOs with the talons? I must say that i hear that the nemos are really pretty bad amps and especially with the talons. As for my other equipment please check the link i gave at the top of my page it clearly displays all of my equipment including the power cord that i bought from you. Thanks
Sorry the link did not paste properly... its a shame i didnt notice this sooner. Here it is in its proper form:


http://cgim.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/vs_user.pl?vevol&1020195264&viewmine&publ


Sorry about that....
You suggest you to try Cary Rocket 88 either stereo or monoblocs. You also can search in Caryaudio.com to see their new V12i. I already listened to both Rocket 88 and V12. If you can afford should get the monoblocs V12 which are awesome amps, transparent, smooth and details.
I'm a big fan of Pass Labs SS amps.

Aleph 1.0 monblocks 150 watts list $12k
Aleph 1.2 monblocks 200 watts list $14k
I purchased a used 1.0 this year for under $5k. BTW, the
Aleph 0 monoblock 75watt list $8k is also a sweet sounding amp.

Haven't had the opportunity to hear the new PL X series. But I'm sure you won't go wrong there either.
Good Luck!
Lordgorian another tube amp to consider is the Berning zh270. It idles at 70 watts, does NOT have a transformer but uses an impedance converter which is patented. This allows it to be used into low impedance loads where most tubes amps typically start getting into trouble unless they have a LARGE transformer. It also has 3 feedback settings to match to the speaker and taste, great flexibility.

The advantages of this design are lightning speed and clarity like an Output Transformer Less (OTL) tube amp and a great solid state amp, versatility (it has two inputs and a volume control so you can run the source directly to the amp but you don't have to) dead quiet (there is no power transformer but a regulated switching power supply. And it weights only 10 lbs. If you are into big and gorgeous you might want to look elsewhere. It is small and rather homely. I didn't say ugly, but on the other hand it will never bring attention to itself. Form follows function all the way.

The Berning offers the magical presence which tubes are so noted for but it is not euphonic as are some tube amps. It does bass like ss, down to 2hz into an 8 ohm load. Is it tube or ss? And no worry about tube replacement, the outputs are scheduled to last in the 20 year range and cost about 5 bucks each to replace.

It is a tube amp for someone who is afraid of tubes because of the downsides including heat and maintenance. How it will meld with the Perigrines I don't really know but I would think quite well with the 8 ohm nominal impedance of that speaker. 70 watts should be MORE than enough power. If you listen at 105 db on a regular basis you will ruin your hearing so I would stop that at once!!:) New 4.5K. Used, good luck trying to find one.

Have fun in your search. Very nice system btw.