I've always been taken by Christiaan Punter's review (www.hifi-advice.com) of the VAIC 520 synergy with the Dali Icon 6 speakers. Not an expected pairing but apparently out of this world:
Dali Ikon 6 +VAIC Reference 520
Dali Ikon 6 +VAIC Reference 520
This really is a silly combination: 400 euro speakers with 7000 euro amps (second-hand prices), but this combination really works spectacularly well. Being single ended designs without overall feedback and with little in the way of damping factor, the VAIC Ref 520’s did not drive any of the full range Apogees well, but they are really in their comfort zone with the easy to drive Dalis and now the VAICs’ SET magic really comes out. The combination sounds incredibly powerful with deep and bouncy bass, highly dynamic and direct-coupled yet free-flowing midrange and sweet sweet treble. While certainly not devoid of cabinet resonances and a bit uneven in the bass, nevertheless the humble Dalis are transformed into pure emotion transducers...