Need recommendation for amplifier

IMO the NuForce sta 200 for $500 is amazing. It was very close to my  NuForce monoblocks, which I loved, that were four times the price.  Of course my preamp and downstream components had something to do with the final result.
As far as the Red Dragons are concerned, I just got them and can’t make an informed judgement. They’re very promising but not ready for prime time yet.
I would have no absolutely no hesitation in recommending the sta 200 though.
If you’re on a tight budget I’d definitely try it.  On Amazon you have months to return it, and If you’re on Amazon Prime, it costs nothing to return it.

First impressions of the Red Dragon:

At this point, very bright and revealing; Excellent definition and soundstaging,
Good bass control.
I just hope it calms down to a more subdued presentation.
So far, not as pleasing as my former amps.
Whether it’s just too revealing or it’s not broken in yet, I don’t know.
I have 45 days to decide what to do.

One more thing about the Red Dragons,

Records display none of the problems of CDs.
They sound very natural!
Maybe a different cable between DAC and preamp would do the trick.
But we’ll wait and see.

I meant cable between transport and DAC.

Unless you need a lot of power, a First Watt amplifier (used, demo, or new) would be a major step up for you.  I think the J2 is still in production.  I own the J2 and M2, and I have a pair of XA60.8 amps.