I've owned both Maggie IIIa's using their passive xover and Martin Logan Monolith IIIx's. The latter used the Krell designed electronic xover, allowing one to drive the panels with a separate amplifier, not unlike the Summit's.
The ML panels are more efficient than the Maggies. An amp's current drive is generally not the big need for ML panels (which it is for the Maggies) but the ability to drive the load presented by the panel. For tube amps, this gets down to the capabilities of the transformer. If it can't handle the load and phase, you'll generally suffer from some roll-off of the higher treble range. Per ML, the impedance is .7 ohm @ 20khz but I've not seen the impedance curve over its operating range but my guess is that it's a lot friendlier than the Monolith's.
I'd also run this set up in balanced mode although this will eliminate some of the amps such as the older Deluxe VTL 225 and 300 which are single ended or after market modded. Regardless, the VTL's come with nice transformers which should be able to deal with the load. Same for the Manley's although new, they're more than you want to spend.
Personally, I would look at the following on the used market.
The ARC VT-200 will do a decent job and offer good reliability and a company which has been around for a long time, thereby ensuring good service. You can also go mono bloc with the VT130 or VT130SE. One thing to note is that ARC generally rates their power output at 16ohms where their amplifiers are most efficient. Unlike some SS amp designs, power does not double or increase as impedance goes down. Generally, you lose power depending on the design and transformer.
VTL MB250 or MB450 would be excellent choices as well and should be investigated. Their products are reliable and again, they're around to service their amp's should something go wrong.
VAC makes some very nice products but they're above your range. There are a pair of Standard 220's on Audiogon but I've not heard that model. I have a pair of VAC PA-160 II's and they drove the Monolith 'stat panels to high levels with ease. VAC makes excellent transformers.
My top choice would be Manley's Neo-Classic 250 but it's quite expensive and rarely shows up used.
Depending on the music you listen to and the size of your room, you only need about 120 watts/side of clean tube power to make those speakers sing. Good luck.
The ML panels are more efficient than the Maggies. An amp's current drive is generally not the big need for ML panels (which it is for the Maggies) but the ability to drive the load presented by the panel. For tube amps, this gets down to the capabilities of the transformer. If it can't handle the load and phase, you'll generally suffer from some roll-off of the higher treble range. Per ML, the impedance is .7 ohm @ 20khz but I've not seen the impedance curve over its operating range but my guess is that it's a lot friendlier than the Monolith's.
I'd also run this set up in balanced mode although this will eliminate some of the amps such as the older Deluxe VTL 225 and 300 which are single ended or after market modded. Regardless, the VTL's come with nice transformers which should be able to deal with the load. Same for the Manley's although new, they're more than you want to spend.
Personally, I would look at the following on the used market.
The ARC VT-200 will do a decent job and offer good reliability and a company which has been around for a long time, thereby ensuring good service. You can also go mono bloc with the VT130 or VT130SE. One thing to note is that ARC generally rates their power output at 16ohms where their amplifiers are most efficient. Unlike some SS amp designs, power does not double or increase as impedance goes down. Generally, you lose power depending on the design and transformer.
VTL MB250 or MB450 would be excellent choices as well and should be investigated. Their products are reliable and again, they're around to service their amp's should something go wrong.
VAC makes some very nice products but they're above your range. There are a pair of Standard 220's on Audiogon but I've not heard that model. I have a pair of VAC PA-160 II's and they drove the Monolith 'stat panels to high levels with ease. VAC makes excellent transformers.
My top choice would be Manley's Neo-Classic 250 but it's quite expensive and rarely shows up used.
Depending on the music you listen to and the size of your room, you only need about 120 watts/side of clean tube power to make those speakers sing. Good luck.