Best solid state amp upgrade from NAD 214?

I personally like using SS amp with a tube preamp.
For a tube preamp check out -
* Belles 21A Auricap Linestage preamp at $1,200,
* Primaluna Prologue Three preamp at $1,100,
* Eastern Electric Minimax preamp at $700
The first two preamps put you at the limit of your budget BUT you have a heck of a pre/amp combo. The last preamp is still a nice choice for less money. I do not have access to Blue Book prices so you'd need to to confirm fair market price for the preamps.
My friend runs a tube preamp into his Emotiva. Makes for a nice combination and a bit more musical versus the two other SS preamps he tried.

You could also get an int. amp such as a Marantz 8004, NAD C275, Yamaha S2000, TEAC. I'd personally change out the pre-amp first and keep the amp. Perhaps try a used NAD C160/162 (used around $300) to match your NAD amp. You might really enjoy the convenience of a remote control. You have a nice amp, w/a few little modifications you would be very surprised how you could really improve the sound. If you really have the urge to change amps, check out the Parasounds as well. Good Luck!

Parasound NewClassic 2100 preamp and 2250 amp or Parasound Halo P3 and A23. Contact me directly for details. 914-438-4988

One of the biggest upgrades I've done was when I went from an Adcom solid state GTP preamp (450?) to a quicksliver linestage with my NAD 214. The jump in performance was huge. I'm not familiar with the NAD 1000 but I wouldn't be surprised if you got the same gains I got.

After the Quicksilver, I went through several more expensive power amps before I found one that was much better than the 214. That there is a pretty good amp.

Wow. That's all good to hear about the NAD 214. There's one on ebay for about $100...maybe I should get a second one and get increased power by bridging them, and replace the preamp to start out my experimentations. Thanks for the feedback