Best Amp for Timbre, Depth and Spatial Resolution?


I have an Ayre CD player, BADA Alpha DAC, deHavilland Mercury pre-amp, CJ MF-2500A amp and N802 - am looking to upgrade amp.
Would like to hear views on Best Amp for Timbre, Depth and Spatial Resolution.
Not married to tube or SS..
Always wonder about Stereophile recommended components such as Aesthetix Atlas, Parasound JC-1, CJ LP-125 and the likes. I would pay about $5k on Agon so there are some limitations.
Thanks.
128x128johnmc67
Johnmc67- I own a pair of B&W 802D. I have spent many hours and years looking for the right amp. About a year ago I found what I feel is one of a few worth owning, the Veritas by Merrill Audio. However it is beyond your stated budget. But just in the last few days the Merrill has announced an entry level amp. It is the Thor made by Merrill Audio. It lists for $4,000 per pair but he is running deals on it for a limited time so it can be had for less. It is based on a trickle down tech of the Ncore amps.

I have not heard it yet but hope to sometime after the RMAF show next week. I believe Merrill will have them setup at the show if you live nearby and can make it. On aside he will be pairing the Veritas with a pair of TED E1 speakers and Andrew from Pioneer might assist in the setup. I wish I could be able to hear that combo.

Also there was someone on the Audio Circle selling his Veritas because he is going with an all active setup.
What Musical Fidelity products are you talking about Bo1972. A few years ago, I tried a MF A3.5 integrated. I was very surprised with it. No question that is is a very powerful amp. It will drive just about anything. Also, the sound was very fast. If you like what the Naim does with the quick pacing or PRAT, the MF did it better. In my opinion, though, it went too far. The highs were a bit harsh and there was no body or fullness to the sound. Kind of like old Krell but without the good midrange. Not 2D but not 3D. Maybe 2.5D. I thought I would like it but it was just OK. Not great. It was one of the first units to come from Asia and not the UK. Maybe that was the problem.
Musical Fidelity there amps are musical and very well controled. The sound has become warmer the last years. There is some depth, but not in the league of Pass Labs. In the past I gave shows for the distributer of MF. Compared to Naim the focus of instruments is a lot sharper. Naim is more focussed on sound and drive. The Naim amps do not give a sharp individual focus like instruments and also voices sound like in real. The other point is ther is almost no depth. At shows I Always asked the people of naim why it is so 2D. To be honnest many people who even work for distributers there knowledge is limited. Often they do not know a lot about music. What can I say!
Just having my morning coffee and signed on to get my daily dose of Bo...

Another excerpt from our resident audio god...
"At shows I Always asked the people of naim why it is so 2D. To be honnest many people who even work for distributers there knowledge is limited. Often they do not know a lot about music. What can I say!"

Perhaps when you get ask this question to a manufacturer Bo, you do not get an answer because they can't stop laughing.

Keep them coming Bo because I can't stop laughing either.