best 2 channels power amp around $3k?

Lot's of Good Amps at this price,but if you can spring for the Joule-Electra Vamp you have moved into sound it usally cost many thousands to get. This is an integrated and it is just fundlementally right. Don't be tempted to get the amp only version of this amp unless you already have a class A preamp, because the line stage of this unit is part of the glory.

The Mark Levinson 331 is 100W 8 ohms/ 200W 4 ohms and is one of the best $5000 amps around that can be gotten used for around 3K.It does not do anything wrong except some tube amps have a different sound that I like better in some cases.

Listen for yourself and then decide. IMHO you cannot touch the sound and build quality of Conrad Johnson. Buy a Premier 11a and discover true bliss!

Spectron Digital amps are quite good.3000 new,around 1600 used.300/500 watts,fast,accurate,uncolored and fun to listen to.I replaced an Adcom 5800 ,which was also good,but into Aerial 10t's the spectron controls the speaker real well and does not sound solid state "rough around the edges" Hard to find dealers,occasionly available used and not much to look at,but alot to listen to.Lots of power AND finesse.Better not praise too much or some may get fat headed and charge tooo much! Have fun-lots of good amps when you have got 3000$ to spend.You did not mention your speakers?

You've already mentioned some very good amps. Don't forget about the Aragon 8008BB; it lists for around $2800 and offers a dual monoblock design with 200 W/ch into 8 ohms. It's a dual monoblock in that the only common components between the channels are the power switch and line cord -- each channel has a separate transformers, power supply, etc.) It's ranked as Stereophile Class B and considered a great value many reviewers, equalling performance of amps costing several times as much. I bought one after listening to a conrad johnson MF-2500A (200 W/ch for $3500 list), as well as a Bryston 3B (125 W/ch, I think, at around $1300). The Aragon blew away the c-j, much to my surprise -- I was really expecting to go home with the 2500A tucked under my arm that day (if you can picture carrying a 90 pound amp that way!) The Aragon had the sense of controlled power and dynamics that the c-j didn't, and the Bryston hinted at. After several months of ownership, we love it even more, and it's blossomed nicely as it's broken in. Happy listening! Steve