I participated in the old thread mentioned above by Mmike84. I can still say without hesitation that the Ayre amps are a great match with the Calypso. No more hum issues unless you happen on a older V5.
I can also say with a certainty that the Theta Dreadnaught I is a great match also (2 channel and hard to find.) It offers a little more power and a bigger bottom. If there is a weakness to the V5xe(if you want to call it that), it is that the bottom octave is a touch light. Imaging and depth is its strong suit.
The Ayre and Theta's are some of the best amps around for use with Vandersteen speakers if you want SS. Since I use Vandersteen's exclusively, I cannot speak to other speakers.
The sound of no negative feedback amps with time aligned speakers makes for one heck of a sonic presentation.
I really want to give Jim White's Atlas power amp a run since it falls into this camp also. May never happen though!
I can also say with a certainty that the Theta Dreadnaught I is a great match also (2 channel and hard to find.) It offers a little more power and a bigger bottom. If there is a weakness to the V5xe(if you want to call it that), it is that the bottom octave is a touch light. Imaging and depth is its strong suit.
The Ayre and Theta's are some of the best amps around for use with Vandersteen speakers if you want SS. Since I use Vandersteen's exclusively, I cannot speak to other speakers.
The sound of no negative feedback amps with time aligned speakers makes for one heck of a sonic presentation.
I really want to give Jim White's Atlas power amp a run since it falls into this camp also. May never happen though!