Hi Thieliste,
I recommend that you seriously consider a Classe’ DR-9 (or two). You should be able to find a nice one for around $1k. Have the seller send it to Classe’ to install a refurb kit (new power transistors and critical caps). I have one that has this "upgrade" and it sounds ridiculously good with my 5i’s. None of the dark sound of my DR-25 and has much more energy than my other "stock" DR-9. Very open, dynamic, tonally rich, and slams in the bass. Excellent imaging and a BIG soundstage. I much prefer its sound to my Krell FPB-600c with my 5i’s. None of the grain and slightly over-prominent upper-mids and treble of the Krell that is problematic with the Thiels.
Just make sure to use it (and all early Classe’ amps) with the single-ended (RCA) inputs as the XLR inputs use an op-amp in the circuit and sound much less open and dynamic as a result.
Best to you Thieliste,
Dave