Best tube amp $2000-2500?

Quicksilver, ARC, VAC, and the match with the speaker is more important than the amp.....

I agree with Potsey,I have the RM-9 mk I it is hard to beat for the money and very reliable.

As someone who owns both Coincident loudspeakers and AtmaSphere amplifiers, my opinion is that despite what is normally said, this isn't the best of matchups. Each of these components is on the more forward, lively, and engaging side, and I often find the combination can be a bit leaner than I prefer. I realize Israel Blume advertises that he uses AtmaSphere amplifiers, but he's also gone out of his way over the past decade to get into the amplifier business.

Personally, my Atma Spheres sound best with my older Fried (A/6 and, especially, Valhalla) loudspeakers, which present a more resistive load than the Coincidents. In fact, I've not heard the Atmas find a better companion. My Coincidents do best with transformer coupled tube amplifiers with more power than what most of their advertising goes towards, such as my Jadis. So, if you're leaning towards Coincident, I'd personally look into brands like AES, Air Tight, Audio Note, BAT, Cary, DeHavilland, Jadis, Manley, Music Reference, Quicksilver, and VAC.

As a former owner of the Total Eclipse, the best combination to my ears was Antique Sound Labs Hurricanes. Another good match was the Sonic Frontiers Power 2.

I'm not sure what Cary amps you've heard, but I am currently getting a nice full and dynamic sound from some Cary/AES Sixpacs. Not too "tubey" at all, ran with Merlin Mxe's and currently some Von Schweikerts.

Whoever said it's less about the amp, and more about the amp/speaker matching is correct.