Best used amp in the $1500 range

I personally feel that the preamp has more of an impact on the sound than then amp (assuming the amp and speakers mate reasonably well).

Perhaps what you're looking for is a different sounding system for certain types of music. If so, maybe you would be better off using that $1500 to build a second system for that explicit purpose.

And, sometimes that wise move is to simply acknowledge just how good your system really sounds and stick with it for a while, and give up the chase. Your wallet will thank you.

You may very well realize wonderful benefits by changing the amps (and, of my recommendations above, I think the Monarchy SE-100's would be most to your liking, and about half your budget). But I'm just throwing out a couple other possibilities to consider.

Good luck.

Michael

If you want a kick ass killer amp try an AVA Fetvalve amp. They're rarely for sale used though but for a few hundred more you could get a new one.

I've had numerous amps in front of my Vmps RM 40's and this amp is better and it's not like you have to try to hear it. The improvement in timbre is amazing. No SS amp I've heard sounds like this amp. It's not tubey although there's a hint of tube sound there. The Van Alstine amp is actually a hybrid with tubes in the input stage but being they only cost 30 bucks every couple of years and need no biasing I thought I'd add it.

Frank's been doing this for at least 4 decades and I think he learned something or two most engineers haven't thought of.

Another amp, also a hybrid, that I think is outstanding is the Blue Circle BC 24. Either one of these is great. The AVA amps have more power so it will depend on what your speakers and room are like.

There's a Blue Circle dealer, Philnyc at audiocircle.com as well as a Van Alstine forum.

If you were impressed by the Belles why not try their lower powered 150A reference.

Good Luck!*>)

I'd second the Ayre V-3. I think this represents an excellent value and amazing performance. Yet, it does depend on the speaker-amp synergy, which is really the key point here. Also, I've had better experience in the past with upgrading either the source or preamp and this making more profound differences. Just my $0.02!

Odyssey Extreme, Possibly a mcintosh, but your gonna only find pretty old models at that cost.. McCormack is good, but is a toss up between it and the Odyssey depending on the system, another one I never heard but is in the range to outclass many from reviews would be a Belles 350 I believe, but not sure of the used cost.