Chris, I owned ML SL3 for several years and Apogees before that. So, you know I like planars! Anyway, I made a change to an set amp are high eff speakers this year and I'm having a great time listening to music. Your room is similar to mine in general dimension, and I too used tubes on my MLs so we have some similarities there.
I still like the way the MLs sound, and maybe if I can have 2 systems they will be one of them. For one, the MLs present a much taller, deeper stage than non-linesource speakers. But I wanted to try out the set/high eff thang, and so my journey changed direction...
To answer your question, I don't know if you can do better for the money than AGs. The AGs have alot going for them including high eff and built in powered subs. They can be super tough to get seamless sound out of. But, I know it can be done as I've heard them at many shows and at one person's home. If you want a world class system that can do it all, the AG may be just the ticket. Heck, I almost got a pair--believe it or not, my wife liked the way red Unos looked on the website--did I marry right or what?!
Despite this, I went more simple and got Cain & Cain single BENs. They are a different speaker with different priorities. When you get a set amp you have so many choices of system flavors and objectives. As Phil notes above, the Zu is a compelling choice. For one, you get the single driver approach without bass sacrifice. To me, the benefits of set amp design alone are worth changing from push pull. Add in the benefit of going single driver (or "augmented" as is Zu & Cain) and you are really onto something!
As for amps, there are lots of choices. Will depend on speaker to a certain extent. The AGs are supposed to like Audiopax. There are lots of options now--heck, I built a kit!
Enjoy your journey.
I still like the way the MLs sound, and maybe if I can have 2 systems they will be one of them. For one, the MLs present a much taller, deeper stage than non-linesource speakers. But I wanted to try out the set/high eff thang, and so my journey changed direction...
To answer your question, I don't know if you can do better for the money than AGs. The AGs have alot going for them including high eff and built in powered subs. They can be super tough to get seamless sound out of. But, I know it can be done as I've heard them at many shows and at one person's home. If you want a world class system that can do it all, the AG may be just the ticket. Heck, I almost got a pair--believe it or not, my wife liked the way red Unos looked on the website--did I marry right or what?!
Despite this, I went more simple and got Cain & Cain single BENs. They are a different speaker with different priorities. When you get a set amp you have so many choices of system flavors and objectives. As Phil notes above, the Zu is a compelling choice. For one, you get the single driver approach without bass sacrifice. To me, the benefits of set amp design alone are worth changing from push pull. Add in the benefit of going single driver (or "augmented" as is Zu & Cain) and you are really onto something!
As for amps, there are lots of choices. Will depend on speaker to a certain extent. The AGs are supposed to like Audiopax. There are lots of options now--heck, I built a kit!
Enjoy your journey.