Tube Mono-Block Recommendation

Dragon vibe, what you've read has nothing to do with Atma-Sphere OTLs. These are perhaps the most bullet-proof and utterly reliable tube amps made. And, they are one of the few tube amps (only?) that match ALL of the characteristics you listed in your opening post. The only issue is whether your speakers are reasonably compatible.

Dragon_vibe, if your speakers require the Atma-Sphere MA-2 model amps as the right match, then yes. They are large, they have a lot of tubes, they are hot, and they burn a lot of electricity when not in stand-by. They are also GLORIOUS and will punch all of the sonic hot buttons you specified as your criteria.

My wife and I have used MA-2 amps to drive Avalon Acoustic Eidolon speakers for over a decade. We'd never consider another amp. In that decade of use, I've replaced 6 output tubes - *SIX* only. These output tubes run a long long time.

And, you will have one of the true gentlemen of High End Audio, Ralph Karsten, supporting you.

Marc Mickelson at The Audio Beat has consistently listed the MA-2 as his favorite amp:

Keeping the notion of "best" in mind, let's say that I don't have the luxury of picking five amps. I have to choose just one -- the amp that will be the conduit through which all of my music, digital and analog, passes. Which will it be? Solid-state or tubes? Push-pull or single ended?

Give me OTL in the form of the MA-2 Mk 3.1s and I'll live musically ever after.

See his full review at:
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/atma_sphere_ma2_mk31.htm

Good luck in your search.
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Congratulations, Dragon_vibe. Nice to have you in the A-S family!

Dragon_vibe, when you receive the MA-2, allow plenty of playing time for break-in before making any judgments. The capacitors in the amp are MASSIVE and require a minimum of 200 hours of playing time before you'll be able to assess the amp, and perhaps as much as 400 hours to fully come into their own. During this break-in period, the sound quality will change from listening session to listening session. This is typical of tube amps using the size and quality capacitors Ralph places in his amps, so not at all a unique issue. Just be prepared for it.

Picture of Atma-Sphere MA-2 underside:
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/blog/pics/atmasphere_2.jpg

This image posted in an article by Marc Mickelson in The Audio Beat:
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/visits/tab_summer_audio_adventure.htm

I drive Avalon Acoustic Eidolons with the MA-2s. Power cords for the amps are Silent Source Signature cables. Speaker cables are Omega Micro Planar V, but I'd use Silent Source Music Reference speaker cables today. These are the most neutral I've heard.