Can anyone suggest a good 2-channel amp for $1500

McCormack DNA 0.5 goes for about $800. You can bank the rest or start on the upgrade path with SMC Audio (Steve Mc., the designer, now modifies his old amps).

55dok asks a good question...what speakers are you using, room size, what are your musical tastes, and why are you interested in tube amps that put out 100wpc (that's allot of tubes)? There are some fine tube integrateds in your price range but I don't know of any putting out 100wpc. You'd likely be looking at a Pentode design, or a whole bunch of big, hot tubes in Push/Pull. Plenty of fun for certain types of music, but listen for yourself and see if SS doesn't do that kind of music better to your ears.

If you'd prefer generalizations; I do like my Portal Panache which is right in your price range if you get one of the demo amps that Joe Abrams sells here on A'gon with the same trial period as new, and I believe the same warranty. The demo is $1295 last time I saw one. $1700 new. Used ones come up now and then for less. Pretty versatile amps with the handfull of speakers I've thrown at it. Put it on your short list - highly recommended, but do pay attention to synergy as has been suggested.

Marco

I think the PS Audio HCA amps are pretty amazing and can be had for about half your budget.

Channel Island DM 100 mono blocks.

I was thinking of pairing 2 Aurum Cantus Leisure 2SE's with this amp + a Shanling CD-T100a CD player in this mini-semi-ref system. I will also probably try my current Anthony Gallo Acoustics Adiva Ti's with this just for grins...

Thanx for responses so far to all...