New amp for Vandersteen 2CE

You started with the Pass Aleph 5 so guessing you know of one that's in your price point. I'd go for the Pass; it's a great amp and it will not be outclassed by your Vandy's which are nice speakers. I know both products having owned the 2CE's and listened to the Aleph 3 and 5 at the dealer when they were current pieces. The Aleph 5 will run no hotter than a tube amp but it is hot to the touch; just don't touch it when it's running. If you're in a real, real small room in the desert it might cook you out but I doubt it. The Aleph 5 will drive your speakers no problem. If you don't like the Aleph 5 you will not have a problem reselling it I as they don't last long on the market.

The nice thing is the Vandersteen 2Ce is a good speaker but it's reasonably priced. I've used Rotel, Krell KST 100 and a YBA 3 DT to drive mine. If you like the sound of the Pass I would go with that. My Krell runs to half power (50 watts) in class A and that's plenty for the Vandersteens with a little extra in class B. You can spend a lot more on amps but were is the diminishing point, I think I've reached it.

Older Classe' and Musical Fidelity are sonic matches as well.

Pulled the trigger on a Pass Labs Aleph 5 that was for sale locally at an attractive price.  The build quality is phenomenal - a real piece of industrial art.  Sound quality is certainly there - nice detail in the high end, clean midrange and powerful bass.  60 watts is certainly sufficient in my room with these speakers.  Very pleased.

Now wondering what an external DAC will do for this setup... seems like a good topic for another thread!

a good DAC will do a lot, and need not be expensive