Lightning quick DYNAMIC amp in the under $1000 range

@mrdecibel 

No doubt the dual STA-200's will be fine but again the Khartago is upgradable and an easier match with more preamp choices.  I had to buy the STP-SE to get the Job 225 to work out as it was incompatible with the other preamps I had on hand. The STA-200 could be an even easier harder match.  But in the end what we would chose first doesn't matter as he is the one buying the amp.

I am still not convinced it is the amp that is currently his weakness, but, as you say, he is the listener, and purchaser. BTW, I am no longer using my STA 200's in my main system, as I have been going through my closets and found an old gem that I am finding quite incredible ( with a few modifications ). It is an ADA PF 2501, and I am loving it. I also have the smaller unit, the PF 201, but this big boy is balsy, with finesse. I go back with ADA.

I'm listening to an STA-200 right now. I use it in my office with a pair of KEF Q150's and an Emotiva XDA2 dac. It's a great amp. I've used it at home with an Exogal Comet Dac and Salk Song3's and it sounded great. I also had the Job225 amp and couldn't really tell a difference so I sold the Job and kept he STA-200. Audio Advisor sometimes has them open box for under $450. Can't be beat at $500 or less in my opinion. 

However, there are also interesting options in this price point. First amp I'd consider as an option is Van Alstine's new SET 120 amp for about $800. There's also used deals frequently for Odyssey amps and Wyred4Sound amps that are under $1000. There's also the Schiit Vidar and their new Class A amp the Aegis (or something like that, just released today). If you can do tubes I'd look out for a used Primaluna Prologue 4 or 5. You can often find those under $1k. Those are amps I'd consider.

May need to add the Schiit Aegir to the list now that it’s available. It’s $100 more than the Vidar, but supposed to sound better overall as long as you don’t listen at high levels with inefficient speakers. The Vandy 2Cs are 88db efficient and I do like to listen loud once in a while, so if I wanted to go this direction, I may have to monoblock them, however if I do this I would have to get a better preamp that is balanced (since that is the only way to monoblock them). So, likely won’t go this direction...taking off the list...LOL