Agreed, that's why I suggested putting in a big amp. When I suggested Emotiva, I was really thinking of the bigger XPA amps that they have. That UPA 700 is somewhat weak in the power supply department.
Yeah, the Hegel H160 would be absolutely awesome to drive those Monitor Silver 8. It does include a pretty good digital DAC, but it does not have a phono input (so you would need a separate phono preamp).
The Parasound Integrated is going to be a warmer amp with not as much high frequency detail/air, but you might want this with those bright Silver 8 tweeters. However, the Parasound Integrated includes a phono input as well as a bass management crossover system.
The Marantz are nice, but they aren't that big of a power supply (only 70 watts / channel) and they are going to sound warm/slow like the Parasound.
Otherwise, I have a couple of Emotiva XPA-1L 250 watt monoblock amps that I have not put up for sale yet for $650 plus shipping (or $850 loaded with Furutech rhodium fuses).