I'd agree that a good solid state amp is better for the S5e. (However, I prefer tube amps with the "classic" Spendor series.)
I owned a pair of S5es for a year or two and they worked quite nicely with a Bel Canto S300. BC makes an integrated version of that amp that you can often pick up used for about $1K.
I owned a pair of S5es for a year or two and they worked quite nicely with a Bel Canto S300. BC makes an integrated version of that amp that you can often pick up used for about $1K.