What Power Amplifier Should I Buy?

Wow! So many great ideas.

I appreciate how these posts have recommended changes to other components, so much so that I thought I would discuss my system in a bit more detail.

The Paragon System E is used as a Phono pre only. It creates a beautiful bloom in the upper bass/ lower mids. Sometimes this works, other times not too much. I have other phono preamps I switch in from time to time.

I tried a Pass XP-12 preamp earlier this year. It was not a good experience. There was a lot of sibilance, no matter what I tried, even with a tube power amp. I did not enjoy the ergonomics, especially the grainy volume adjustment. I sent it back to the factory where Pass replaced the gain modules, but the sibilance remains. I sold it. I've tried some vintage preamps, such as the APt/Holman Preamps 1 and 2 and a 10 year old NAD. The lack of a remote (not the NAD), takes a bit of the fun away, although the APT preamps sound very good. I refurbished both with new caps.

I use a graphic EQ (dBx). I'd rather not have to use it, but need more room mode control than the passive absorbers can provide. I've experimented with analog parametrics, but found them very difficult to adjust. I've tried the miniDSP Flex, but I was underwhelmed. I'm able to do just as well with the GEQ. And the Flex has no control in the time domain (impulse response, group delay, etc...). I need Dirac for that.

The Bryston music server and D/A sound great. I'm very pleased.

My crossover is a Sublime Acoustic K231. This is a modern XO. I've tried XO frequencies from 75 Hz to 200 Hz. At 120 Hz, I get some help from room modes that are more apparent than with the sub. I have run the f208s full range, but was/am concerned about clipping the amp. This is one place where I need to continue experimenting.

The Revel f208 speakers are a keeper. They are the best sounding speakers I've ever had. I need to find an amp that will drive them well instead of getting more efficient speakers.

My main reason for getting a more powerful amp is to provide more headroom (which is why I use a sub). Perhaps I don't need more power. This thought has occurred to me. I could spend the money on something else.

To summarise, I feel very good about the sound from my system. However, I am always on the lookout for something else (better or just different?).

I need to update my system pics and description. I've changed a lot of components since the last photos.

I am still open to changing the preamp. I have already tried Pass, so that's out.

This continues to be a very informative discussion for me. Thanks for your participation!

I liked the PS AUDIO BK250 as well. Like it so much I bought another and now vertically biamp.  It imparts of bit of tube sound, but has a solid state output stage.  I find it to be a nice compromise.  I have the F208s but they are not hooked up to the BHK 250.  Nice speakers though.  I should try it sometime with the BHK 250.  I was using a benchmark and I feel like the speakers had a lot more to offer then the electronics I had paired with them could extract.  

Room Dimensions?

@jbuhl Hi, see my system pics. Room dims are there.

Well, I’m at a loss as to how you’ll get “more oomph” or “more power for transients” as I just don’t know what that means.  I will say that after looking at your setup I think it’s highly unlikely your sub is positioned anywhere near optimally in terms of working best in your room.  Not sure what method you used for how/where to place it, but it’s almost never where you have yours and something else to consider if it’s only there for convenience.  I’d suggest reading Todd Welti’s research or even just the subwoofer “crawl method” to get ideas on finding optimal/better sub placement in your room.  FWIW, and best of luck in finding what you’re looking for.