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

Although Bryston doesn't make my favorite amps, they make good sounding ones without a doubt (at least the ones I have heard). And if you are buying used, Bryston's 20 year, transferable warranty is a tramendous plus. Of course the reason they can give this warranty is that with their gear you are unlikely to need to use it - an even bigger plus.

I also see no one has recommended Arcam. Though it is a bit of a "rare bird", the AVR200 produces a very warm, musical sound. It is rated at 85 wpc, but the power management circuitry makes it seems stronger. You can usually find them for around half of your budget, leaving plenty for cables and music.

Good listening.

Do you think that going for less than the max wattage for the speakers (100 wpc) will result in less sound quality than the speakers are capable of producing? I don't want to go too crazy and overdo it and blow out the speakers - that being said, if I do go the integrated amp route and the wattage is significantly more than 100wpc @ 8ohms x 2, how can I avoid blowouts? Are there safety circuits that will keep me (or the kids) from damaging my speakers?

Thanks!

Belles 150A @ $1495 msrp.
Belles 150A Reference if you can find a pre-owned one should be in the price range you're looking for.

Well, you did say tube amps... and solid state amps. I'll agree with illenema2@wmconnect.com...Rogue Audio M-120 Magnums. I think more like $1,700-$2,000 though for the Magnum version of these amps.

I've never heard any solid state amp that can better these amps as far as sounding musical. That said, I've never listened to any other Rogue amp so have no idea if other Rogue amps would "do it" for me the way these do.

I'll also agree with illenema2@wmconnect.com on the bass quality of these tube amps...my 120's replaced a small Krell amp.

Good luck
Dave