Solid state amplifier $2K Used or New

You should check out the Bryston and the Classe amplifier lines. I have owned both and found them to work well with many preamplifiers. I would say that the Classe amp seemed more musical and that the Bryston amp had a better bottom end in my system. Both were excellent performers and they are readily available on Audiogon. Good Luck!!

The Muse 160.

I second the Bryston suggestion. I personally dislike Classe (sounds to me like it's loaded with a bunch of butterflies), but lots of folks really like it. Over either of these though, try the older McCormack amps (get your hands on a revision A upgraded model), I like them over the newer McCormack models. Last, if any way you can spend more, look at the Simaudio Moon W-5.

stowne, buy my older electrocompaniet aw100 - i'm only asking $800! ;~)

of course, ewe can spend more on one of electrocompaniet's newer offerings - i presently am quite happy w/a pair of aw60ftt's werticially bi-amping my monitors; preamp is a melos tubed unit... electrocompaniet makes great amps, imo. while i've never heard the ayre, from what i've heard folks say about it, i'd hazard a guess that electrocompaniet is closer in sound to that, compared w/the other amps yuve mentioned

doug s.

I'm a Bryston owner also (4B-ST and 5B-ST), and think they're fine amps and an excellent value (very well build, and have a 20-year transferrable warranty) -- well worth putting on your short list. The other amp that has gotten very good reviews over the past 6 months is the Marsh Sound Design A400S. If I were in the market for a new amp today, it is one I would definitely audition. The other amsp I think you should audition are the Aragon 8008BB and the Rotel amp that retails for $1995 (can't think of the model number right now).