Amp selection for someone on a modest budget...

Used Parasound A23?

I recently bought a 2x250 watt Yamaha P2500s pro audio amplifier for my son (to be used with Harbeth M30.1 speakers). The price was 300 euro, or $350 (incl tax). Its bigger brother the 2x350 watt P3500s was tested thoroughly here http://www.homecinema-fr.com/forum/amplificateurs-de-puissance-haute-fidelite/mesures-ampli-yamaha-p... (in French I am afraid) using an Audio Precision audio analyzer. It measured very well, and better than quite a few far more expensive audiophile amplifiers. And for those who wonder: it also sounds fine (like any amplifier with such numbers). It has balanced inputs, and an optional high pass filter to protect speakers against low frequency explosions. Unlike many pro audio amps, it has a variable speed fan that will never come on in domestic conditions. And of course it is well made and built to last under hard conditions.

I was on the same hunt for 7 months. After considering many different amps, I settled on Job 225 power amp and Job Pre2 pre-amp. Numerous very positive reviews. I am assuming your budget for the power and pre-amp combo is under $4000.

If you look at Parasound, the A21 is the one to get. A very high fidelity amp with tons of power. I have one and after trying many othe amps by Parasound, this is the best bargain.

NAD Is also a great amp for the money