Solid state "backup" amp recommendation

Semi
My situation is identical to yours. In my main system I am using Joule Electra Heaven’s Gate mono amps & Joule Preamp which heats the room up to sauna like conditions in the summer even with central air. For summer use I use a BAT VK 200 with a BAT 5i preamp. It does get a bit warm but nowhere near the heat of the Joules. The room stays comfortable. In my second system I use Pass Aleph 2 mono amps, same problem, these might even get hotter than the Joules but it’s a close call. For the summer/fall months I use a VAC PA80/80 tube amp (KT88s) which does no throw off all that much heat. Anyway this set-up works very to solve my summer heat problems.

Gjrad

Ok, you guys are making a difficult decision more difficult. Before posting, I thought listing out the safe bets will help me narrow my choices but instead I now have more options than ever.

Fortunately, I am open minded and NuForce does have a demo unit out here in SF Bay Area. But if a BAT VK-200 showed up on Audiogon at a good price, I will still go for it.

I travel to Japan & Taiwan often, Usher (Taiwan) has a very good amp R-1.5 that mimics the older Threshold for very little money. But I can't figure out how to transport a 90lb amp back here as a luggage w/o paying stiff penalty.

Try a Plinius SA102 used on the 'Gon for ~$2500

Great sounding amp, and you can use the 'Class A vs class A/B' switch, very versatile.

May even give your bat a run for its money in many areas! Definitely freq. extremes and dynamics.

Hi Semi - in reading of your system configuration and what you want the new amplifier for, I would certainly add the NuForce Ref 8B ( for balanced) monoblocks @ $1600/pair. These light-weight wonders are analog switching amps and are very chameleon-like in their presentation - ie, they take the sonic characteristics of the pre-amp and will sound "tubey" with tubed pre. Though they are rated at 100 watts, they have more than enough power to drive my Magnepan 3.6R's as well as most other speakers with moderate to poor efficiency. As to how to get the best sound, just give them a fast power cord ( Shunyata Diamondback, Audio Magic Trinium, Synergistic AC Master Coupler) and ENJOY! Demo units can be had from the Cable Company or directly from the NuForce company.