Which stereo amp to try under $30k


Having just made several upgrades to my system, it's now time for the amp. Given the number of amps in the 15-30k range, I'm guessing many of you have experiences with them. To get started, I'll tell you my (1) my guidance (2) my current list of options (3) My current setup. Looking forward to getting more options on my list, as I'd like to pull the trigger in about 2 months and need to start listening.

My Guidance
- Under $30k
- I need to be able to hear the amp before purchase, preferably at a local shop (SF Bay Area)
- New or used ok
- Large sound stage
- Bass
- More Bass... all the bass
- Very much prefer stereo to fit in my rack. I have small children and not enough room for monos.
- Prefer not tubes (already have a tube line stage - too hot for small children and don't fit in rack)
- I'm ok with a colored sound. Prefer musicality and realism over "accuracy" or "neutrality"
- Needs an absolute minimum of 150W based on how loud I listen
- 15/20A or something I can plug into a regular wall outlet

My Current List of options
- Luxman M900u (current top of list)
- Ayre VX-R Twenty
- Pass Labs XA160.8 (doesn't meet all of my guidance)
- Boulder 2160 (a little above budget)
- Audio Research 160S (doesn't meet all of my guidance)

My Current Setup
- AMG Viella Turbo Turntable w/ Koetsu Onyx Platinum Cartridge
- Boulder 508 Phono Stage
- Mytek Manhattan II DAC (next upgrade after the amp - maybe a dCS Bartok?)
- Audio Research Reference 6 line stage
- McIntosh MC452 power amplifier
- B&W 802D3 speakers
- AudioQuest and Nordost cabling or a Symposium Osiris rack

What I listen to: Anything from the 60s on vinyl, some things from the 70s on vinyl. A lot of large orchestral and jazz, also a fair amount of pop, from any decade, on vinyl and digital. Thanks for reading my long post! I'll keep this thread updated with amps I hear. Lots of great shops in the area. My two favorites are The Analog Room in Campbell and Music Lovers Audio in Oakland and SF.
Ag insider logo xs@2xmayoradamwest
I heard two really good integrated amp at a show, Absolare and Aavik. Might be worth hearing if you can find them or power amps from those companies.

The Absolare integrated is around $20k. Aavik was paired with their own Boressen speakers. 

https://www.absolare.com/integratedAmplifier.html

https://aavik-acoustics.com/
Based on my audition of the Pass Labs int 60 and forum comments and reviews, I'd take a serious look at the Pass Labs int 250. The int 60 I auditioned was outstanding to my ears. I know it doesn't sound exactly like the int 60 but the int 250 seems to have almost all of what the int 60 has and more, top end to bottom end. Check out The Absolute Sound, Audiodrome, positive-feedback.com, and hometheaterhifi.com. reviews of the int 250 and come to your own conclusions. Pretty impressive amp.
I just saw that Aavik seems to have separates also, they probably use that for the demo I heard. P380 and maybe C380. Sounded wonderful.

The Absolare integrated was a 200w piece that sounded very natural and relaxed.  
AUDIA Flight Strumento #4 mk2 is the best sounding and best built amp and it way under 30k.I also won the Stereo Sound Grand Prix award for 2016 in Japan in this magazine that has no advertising.