Hi Powerdocter,
Your really asking two different questions in my opinion:
1) Since you seem enamored of the Audio research house sound, this question really resolves around if the AR 210s would have enough current/watts to drive your 20.1's. I believe they would.
2) The second question would be if you stuck with Pass Labs, which amp to go for. My personal taste is Pass Labs over Audio Research amps, but not going up in the X.5 series for Maggies, but the XA.5 series amps. I would suggest you try a pair of XA-100.5's, which make magic with your 20.1's and sound alot different then your X-250.5 does now.
Have you ever considered bi-amping your 20.1's? I have never heard a pair of either 20 or 20.1's really give their sonic best without being bi-amped and getting rid of the passive x-over that Magnapan provides. Also do you have your 20.1's on MyeSound stands, if not I strongly suggest you make this move before you do anything upstream, you will be shocked at how these stands bring Maggies to a much higher level of sonic performence. For details on these stands or Pass Labs XA-.5 amps take a look at my reviews of both here on the GON.
Your really asking two different questions in my opinion:
1) Since you seem enamored of the Audio research house sound, this question really resolves around if the AR 210s would have enough current/watts to drive your 20.1's. I believe they would.
2) The second question would be if you stuck with Pass Labs, which amp to go for. My personal taste is Pass Labs over Audio Research amps, but not going up in the X.5 series for Maggies, but the XA.5 series amps. I would suggest you try a pair of XA-100.5's, which make magic with your 20.1's and sound alot different then your X-250.5 does now.
Have you ever considered bi-amping your 20.1's? I have never heard a pair of either 20 or 20.1's really give their sonic best without being bi-amped and getting rid of the passive x-over that Magnapan provides. Also do you have your 20.1's on MyeSound stands, if not I strongly suggest you make this move before you do anything upstream, you will be shocked at how these stands bring Maggies to a much higher level of sonic performence. For details on these stands or Pass Labs XA-.5 amps take a look at my reviews of both here on the GON.