Late to the party, but have you looked into the Quicksilvers? The V4s are 120wpc conservatively, and the Monos are more powerful than their ratings suggest as well. V4s are ~ $4800/pr, Monos ~$1900/pr.
Cary SLI-80 integrated or AES Sixpacs?
I'm looking for a new tube amp for a system built around Harbeth Monitor 30's. Contrary to myths that Harbeths mate well with SS only, I've found that my office integrated, a Primaluna Dialogue II, sounds better (specially with Genalex reissue KT77s) than several SS integrateds I've heard paired with the Monitor 30s. I could live with the pairing, but I would then need to get another office amp. Given that the Monitor 30s could use more juice than the PL Dialogue has to offer, I have been looking around for a more powerful tube amp under 3K (new or used) that fits other constraints (which I'll spare you). Although I'm open to other suggestions, I was thinking that either the Cary SLI-80 integrated or the AES Sixpacs (with an AES preamp) might do the trick. I could carry the Harbeth to a Cary dealer to audition the SLI-80, but I can't audition the AES. I was hoping that someone who has experience with both amps could speak to their relative merits.
My main source is apple-lossless files streamed through a Wavelength Brick DAC (mostly jazz and acoustic stuff). Room size is moderately large by NYC standards (20'x25', 12' ceilings), but the set up is close to 'near-field', 7' away from the speakers.
My main source is apple-lossless files streamed through a Wavelength Brick DAC (mostly jazz and acoustic stuff). Room size is moderately large by NYC standards (20'x25', 12' ceilings), but the set up is close to 'near-field', 7' away from the speakers.