ProAc Response 2: CJ CAV45, Cary SEI 300B, or Cary Rocket 88?

@leahy I've owned a Rocket88 and think eliminating it from your list is a good idea. With Quad USA63s it lacked the transparency and natural timber that you'll get from the others you're considering. 

Though tough to find, one other you might consider is a Berning ZH270 OTL. The proacs are easier to drive and would be a great fit. I found OTLs like this bit better at frequency extremes than the 300B based amps, without sacrificing much in the mids. It does have a volume control built-in, but could also be used w/active pre if you ever decided to add one. Cheers,

Spencer 

Thanks Spencer - I have a CAV45 on the way, but I'll keep an eye out for the Berning too.

@leahy Nice, can't go wrong with that. Its the one I would have picked in your situation and with your particualr speakers. Nice little integrated amp and easy resale later if you choose to upgrade again down the road.    

Proac usually requires quite a bit of power compared to an efficient speaker at 90db or higher. All the amps you have listed are great camps but they are single ended triode low power amplifiers and they need those 90db plus efficient speakers to shine. I had Cary audio 300b (my favorite set amp ever) monoblocks with Swan Allure speakers sounded amazing for a big full-range speaker with super low power. That system you heard those on that audible Illusions preamp is one of the best kind of like convergent audio technology just about 1/3 of the price the modulus 3A is one of my favorite preamps ever., as far as an amplifier I would recommend a music reference rm9 Mark 2 omg your jaw will drop on floor. My dad has owned brick-and-mortar audio shop in the same location for 42 years I'm only 36 years old but I have had the chance to play around with a lot of nice gear and what I recommended is not cheap but it's not super expensive but it's super amazing