High end amp - my last step


I would like some opinions on buying an amp.

I have some unusual constraints, but a pretty healthy budget.

The constraints:

1) I'm in the UK - 230/240 volts must be available - even if a second hand model has to be sent back to the manufacturer.

2) The amp / amps must live in a space in a well ventilated cabinet, open back and full grill to front plus much ventilation above and below. Space is about 24 inches wide, 30 inches deep and 14 inches high for a mono. Height can be doubled for a stereo amp, e.g. a VTL s-400 will fit but Seigfried Monos will not. Heat should *not* been seen as much of an issue, size should - eg a Krell MRA would drop straight through the floor into the utility room.

3) Power should be enough for a dynamic sound in my 89dB efficient Sophias, but just enough is good enough as these will probably be replaced in the future.

4) Aggravation free, long warranties are good and local dealer support good too - so would demonstrations.

I don't mind tubes, solid state or hybrids. I mostly listen to jazz, indie and pop - actually anything apart from opera.

The budget:

$30,000 - I will consider second hand and I will consider cheaper if I can find it :o)

My own suggestions:

VTL s-400 or 450 monos. (UK distributor - DCS - is less than 5 miles away and will be able to demo at home during April)
Lamm 1.2 ref (No representation in uk :-( )
Audio Research 600's
Dartzeel - (My Wilson dealer carries them, and they look like they won't break, I should get a demo)
Other ideas MBL, Boulder, CAT

I'm not in a rush, probably want to buy in June, but I want to sort out some listening sessions. I *do not* intend to ever buy another amp, so it should be good for (or servicable) for next 20 years!
dmurfet
Get the Boulder 1050 Monos and be done with poweramps. IMO, you shouldn't consider any others
I've heard the DSP 7000, but not the 8000 - I preferred the sound of analogue to digital speakers (just) and it gave me more flexibility to upgrade a bit at a time.

Boulder are on the list!
I owned Lamm M1.1's with my WP7's and they were amazing in the mids but the low low bass was missing or the mid bass was exaggerated. They are extremely musical. The give off tons of heat, the would heat my room 10 degree F in about 10 minutes. Not good when you live in the desert here in Phoenix, AZ. Plus when I sent them back for a checkup they only accept air so $1000 in shipping two crates was great fun!
I listened to the S400 on WP7's and WOW it's pretty amazing and suddenly my lamms sounded dark on the top end because of the air of the VTL's. My dealer had a pair of Theta Citadel (tall long monoblocks with tons of current) and I was asking about the S400 and eventually going to the Maxx's. He said that the S400 would run out of steam if I went with maxxes and that I should listen to the Theta (I already listened to the rowland 201,501,301's, 9t's modified). Wow suddenly I had the air of the VTL and amazing bass authority but with a more realistic midrange (I miss that warmth no matter how wrong it was for the presentation!) Theta has a 5 year warranty and the transformer (or other parts) are modulelar so they can be shipped back wtithout sending the whole amp. The VTL has that also, plus you can hook a computer to the VTL to see the hours on each tube..and the autobias is computer controlled (good or bad, since I work with computers a ton).

So I went with the Theta Citadels as the best compromise that allowed me to listen to limitless dynamics and the soft touch of depth and soundstage. Plus as an Added bonus they run idle 80watt so they are always hot, no more warmup for my system, just click and listen! I'm rediscovering my music collection.

The Lamm's only took 30-40 minutes for full warm up which is really short. I also owned Lamm M2.1 and i would probably gone M2.2's for the extra power, because my system completely opened up with dynamics after inserting the Theta Citadels in after having the Lamms.

Lamms are not fully balanced so save your money and use Single ended, the Theta is fully balanced and did benifit from using balanced connections.

Enjoy.
Chris
I just recieved a Pass X350.5.
Minutes after...
Out of the box, brand new, WOW!!!
I've had Amps that are rated high power, but with the Pass Amps you can feel the effortless power.
Deep soundstage and vocals that are so natural. The bass sounds exellent, clean and defined and the treble is great !.
Everything sounds so right !
And this is again right out of the box !!!
Thanks for the responses again.

Cyctocycle - I didn't realise the Lamm's were not fully balanced. I can output all balanced or unbalanced in 7.1 if need be (I have the all the cards too!) but single ended has proven to be susceptible to hum in the past - this might be the case with the Lamm, but it was with my Krell.

I'll look into the Thetas - but think if thst was my route, I'd be better off as earlier suggested with DSP 8000's.