Your thread has interesting timing, as I just happen to have BOTH Electrocompaniet AW220 mono's AND a brand-new Sim W-5 LE in my possession right now. They are connected to a VAC Renaissance tube preamp, and drive Talon Raven C's. Sources are Audiomeca Mephisto II.X and Esoteric DV-50 players.
As the new Sim only has a few hours on it so far, I don't want to offer any definitive comparisons yet. But - I can tell you this - these amps are VERY close to each other sonically, and both deserve their reputations for being natural synergistic partners with Talon speakers, just as your research and TWOPIPPIS suggests (HI WENDY!).
I also wholeheartedly agree that a tube pre should be in the signal path. Talons appreciate high voltage-gain power, so they respond very well to solid-state amps with bi-polar output transistors and lots of dynamic headroom like these units. BUT - they also seem to enjoy the 'kind word' from a few tubes, either from a tubed source or from the preamp. I find this gives me the best of both tube and SS worlds in one system (that also doubles as a Home Theater setup with a Talon Falcon center chnl speaker, Martin Logan rears and an EAD TheaterMaster pre-pro).
Finally, I can further confirm Wendy's comments that the Sim and EC's put out very little heat, can be left on constantly without affecting your power bill, and are really easy to live with.
Hope that helps, and good luck in your search...
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