Need advice on amp to drive Vandersteen 2Cs

The Vandersteen 2C speakers are one of the great values in home audio, imo. If you like the sound of the speakers, investing in the electronics driving them will reward you with better and better sound from the speakers (within reason). A plus is that the Vandersteens are an easy load for most ampifliers to drive and they are very compatible with tube amps should you decide to look in that direction. I lived very happily with Vandersteen 2C speakers for many years run by a classic Marantz 9 tube amplifier. The sound with 35w of triode tube power was delicious on most of the acoustic music to which I listen.

As to whether you can improve on your current electronics within the price range you suggest, I will defer to others more knowledgeable of the relevant alternatives.

At that price point the McCormack DNA 125 is a natural.

Thanks you for all the input. I had the vandersteens driven by a Denon AVR 3805 (7.1 Receiver 7 x 125 watts) but did not like the sound, it was very muddy. So I bought the Denon POA 2400 and fed it from the pre-amp section of the 3805, the sound improved a bit but still the soundstage was cluttered, then I bought the B&K MC101 pre-map and the speakers started to sing.

Now, I know that the 2400's 200 watts/channel power and the B&K's superb phono stage made the difference. So, I'm not sure if a lower powered (tube amp or a 50 watt/channel Class A amp) will be able to drive the 2Cs.

I almost pulled the trigger on the DK/LSA VS.1 MKII, but because of the company's lack of long track record and the stuff being manufactured in China I stepped back.

I mostly listen to jazz and female vocalists and at times light rock. I know the Vandersteens are not rock speakers.

What are your opinions on the B&K MC 101? Since my Rega P2 has a MM cartridge, I'm using the MM phono stage on the pre-amp. Pretty satisfied, but the soundstage is still not up to the mark.

The McCormack is compatible with most single ended passive, ss and tube pre's. I'm sure you can find one that floats your boat.

I like the Classe CAP 151 feeding my Vandersteen 2ce signatures. I llsten to the kind of music you reference in your post.