Best Class A Amp under $2,000 used?

I guess he is saying we like a certain sound or sonic we came to appreciate when we were younger and still want it despite advances in technology.  It is true, we like what we like and want that, as do many in our age group (boomers)  or cohort, which creates the demand against which supply or build costs, leads to the prices we are willing to pay.

Yes.  I have seen a couple of discussions on the forum about that subject.  A good point. I could see how certain sounds can bring you to memories of how things should sound vs how they actually sound.  As I wasn't privy to owning very good sound systems as a teenager or young adult, I might not be as inherently partial to legacy equipment.  Maybe I would be better off getting hooked on the new technology if it is superior based on the latest testing equipment.  Does anyone care to recommend which amp companies are on the cutting edge of newer technology with in reasonable budgets?  (Whether you like it or not)

you wont get 250w classA anywhere. push a bit your budget if possible and get the Benchmark AHB2.  It plays well above its price and is a near perfect audio tool. You will have everything you will need amp wise for the next 15 years.

Average listening uses only a few watts.   I recommend a single end triode (SET) amp using 211 or 845 output tubes for 12 to 15 watts of pure class A power.        By the way, you did not list your speakers. Amplifier/speaker matching is important! Same for your signal source: analog or digital? 

Sorry, I missed seeing the first part of your post! Dali's/Wadia is a good speaker/source combination! I still recommend a SET tube amp (even one using 300B tubes). Very smooth and yet detailed enough to hear all the nuances in your favorite recordings!