Mono Blocks on a Budget, is it possible?

If you want great sound with monos, a used pair of Nuforce Ref 9 V3 SE monos will set you back about $1400 ($5200 new). I bought a pair and after talking to many owners of Nuforce and Nuprime amps, got to talking with TDSS’s Bob Smith. After our talks, Bob convinced me that the Level 3 mods would be all I could ever want in amps. The Ref 9’s are 175 watts/ch into 8 ohms. The level 3 mods make they play like they are 250 watts/ch. All the sound parameters are improved after the upgrades and I loved the sound of the Ref 9’s prior to that. You could get the Ref 9’s now and save up for the TDSS upgrades for later. I’ve taken these amps to 5 different systems with totally different speakers. In all 5, the sound became present, more dynamic, with deep, articulate bass, and mids and highs to die for. The volume just scales to any volume level with NO overload at all. The sound is never harsh, but has great definition. The level 3 upgrades cost $2400 for the 2 amps total. So for $3800, you have an absolute SOTA mono amps that will drive most any speaker to great joy and live sound. If the extra $2400 is too much, TDSS has 2 lower cost upgrades that still are noticeably better than the already very good Ref 9’s in stock form.  If you did go for the level 3 upgrades, you will NEVER want for a better amp again.

IMO at your price level you’re probably better off getting a good stereo amp rather than paying more for two boxes. And why are you trying to match the specs of the Vidars? They don’t sound good to you, and you don’t need anywhere near 400W to drive your speakers anyway.  BTW, I wouldn't recommend Emotiva amps for your speakers.  Impedance for the Classics is stated to be 4 Ohms, which means they likely dip below that at some point in the frequency spectrum, and Emotiva recommends a 4 Ohm minimum for their amps.  There's a reason amps with robust power supplies cost more. 

From what you say you’re looking for, the best amp by far I’ve heard in my system is the Liberty Audio B2B-100 from the maker of the highly-regarded PBN amps. Crystal clear, clean, and dynamic with a dead silent backdrop in which performers emerge in a 3D sonic panorama, especially in high-bias mode. Sold direct for $2500, and if I’m you I’d see about a brief trial period if possible. Sounds like it might be just what you’re looking for.

Short of that, there’s a McCormack DNA 250 available here now for $2k that’s also very transparent and can be upgraded in the future as funds allow. If for some reason you’re hell bent on monoblocks there’s a pair of Bryston 7B STs also available here for $2k. BTW, all these amps are capable of driving lower-impedance loads and should have plenty of power to drive your speakers. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Odyssey is a great option.  I believe them to be a great product for reasonable pricing.

Two good things about buying the Stellar monoblocks from PS Audio

1. They will knock up to 900 dollars off the ($3K) price if you trade in a used component.  They will credit you with the original MSRP, even if that's not what you paid for the item and is substantially more than what you could sell it for.  This can make for a substantial discount (plus no selling hassle).

2.  You have 30 days to listen to the amps and decide if you want to keep them or send them back.

I haven't had mine long enough to make a firm judgment (just a few days), but so far they are sounding pretty damn great. 

Getting two Nuprime STA 9's for 649 new each might fit the bill and they have audition period. I have Nuforce/Nuprime Ref 20 and had the Ref 9V3se mention in previous post, both are terrific, as well as Bob Smith's mods