Help with amplifier choice


I really like my speakers, Montana XP and the amps that I have tried are W4S ST1000, Cary 500MB and Cary SLI-80. The W4S and Cary 500 were very similar with the "nod" going to the Cary 500MB, but the SLI-80 sounds the best of the 3. I only wonder if the SLI-80 which I prefer in triode mode (40 WPC) is enough power for such a large, multi driver, steep crossover speaker as the XP is. (92 db/W 4 Ohms). So I have been thinking of other amps like ARC, Pass, Modwright, Ayre, other Cary tube amps, and on and on. Thankfully I'm not an impulsive buyer or I would have 10 amps by now.

Can anyone guide me through this jungle of amps? At the least I would like to determine SS vs. tube. My room is large (35x22x10, a very open floorplan) I lean towards a SS for convienence, but I like the sound of the SLI-80 the best of those 3. I'm kind of stuck here and would absorb all and any comments to help me edit my choices. I live in Florida so I would like to avoid "room heater amps", Thanks
koestner
I can't comment on the particular equipment, but I would offer the thought that a key variable is the dynamic range of the music you listen to, i.e., the difference in volume between the loudest notes and the softest notes.

For instance, if you listen to well recorded, minimally compressed classical symphonic music, which may have a dynamic range of 40 db or even more, I suspect that the 40 watts will not be adequate. On the other hand, if you listen primarily to jazz, small ensembles, or a lot of popular releases that are compressed down to a few db of dynamic range, you may be fine.

Obviously, volume preferences and listening distance are significant factors as well.

Regards,
-- Al
Hi Al,

Yes, I mostly listen to light jazz and vocals. Speakers are 10 feet away and 9 feet apart. I have a lot of hi-res (24-96/192) so I think dynamic range is important. My budget is around 5K. Thanks