Attention Vandersteen 5A owners/ amp matches

I have them with a McCormack DNA-225 upgraded to Steve McCormack's Platinum specs. (see review). It is one of the finest combos I've heard at any price. One of these days I plan to do them in dual monos.

I use a Rogue Zeus and love the combo, but 150's would probably do just as well and like you I've read great reports on the quicksilvers with 5a's. Note, part of the 5a trick is the use of a high pass filter between pre amp and amp. This tends to improve the sound of both pre and amp by freeing them of the current hungry low frequency stuff. The typical bass advantage of solid state is likely not much of a benifit.

Thank you all so far. It would be easy for me to check out an ARC system with the 5A at a local dealers(NY/NJ/CT). I plan on doing so, but my only reservation would be with the current house sound of the new ARC gear. It certainly has been said previously that of the current medium -high power tube amps, that the ARC would be one of the ones with less of the warmth normally asociated with tube amplification. I do feel that if an amp with the power of the VTM 200 (for instance) would suit all my previously mentioned needs, and also be that compromise between say a CJ/Cary sound and a warmer SS amp sound(Lamm/dartzeel...),
it may be just the right flavor Kool-aid. I want the dymanic grip and control of SS along with maybe the slightly forgiving nature of tubes. The Joule is clearly one of the best amps on the planet, period. However, I doubt it will have the power reserves of a 200 plus watt transformer coupled amp. It is with that power that
I believe an effortless , relaxed sound can be achieved.
I do realize with any high end component, there must be compromise. I am willing to give up that last bit of detail for the fullness and realistic dimensionality of the real thing. Come on Vandy 5 owners, it was only one hour of sleep. Thanks for letting me share my opinions.

"I do realize with any high end component, there must be compromise." Shouldn't that be the other way? Why spend so much if you have to compromise?

I am not a 5/5A owner. However, I am very familiar with the speakers and have extensively auditioned it with the Bel 1001 MkV and Quicksilver V4's. I have also heard it with the latest generation ARC gear, the Joule at CES 05, and the Spectron Musician II. If you want a warm midbass and midrange, you do NOT want the Joule. To me it sounded spacious but left me wanting more meat. The V4 is definitely on the warmer and fuller sound of neutral compared to the other tube units. It also has a huge soundstage. The V4 is a classic old style tube amp. It is very seductive. To be fair I have heard it on two different Model 5 systems and not on the 5A. I've heard the Bel on the 5's and 5A's. For bass drive, the Bel can't be beat of the ones mentioned. Also it scores well in the detail and harmonic richness department and it also has a very big soundstage. Bel owners are true believers for life. I personally love the ARC house sound so that is where my bias is. It is pretty neutral, detailed, spacious, and dynamically agile but a little bit soft on top. Some folks would like a bit more meat on the bones than what ARC offers. The ARC house sound is leaner than what you would find with Quicksilver but much more substantial than the Joule. The way ARC handles dynamic shifts is magical to me. The ARC/5A system at CE 05 received a lot of raves. The Spectron sounds like no other amp I've ever heard so I couldn't recommend it for your tastes. But it was unbelievably dynamic, fast,had a technicolor soundstage and also had great bass response. It's greatest strength was its effortless power. It is a very exciting sounding pairing with the 5A. But you would never mistake it for a tube amplifier. Another 5A demo I heard that was very impressive was the Musical Surroundings at CES 05. The 5A was powered by a big Rowland. I believe it was a 302. That combination certainly is worth an audition. I thought it was terrific. It was powerful, dynamic, possessed 3D imaging, and a harmonically rich midrange.