Agoners: Need Advice! Have 3K to spend on an Amp, what do I do with no way to audition?


Looking for a solid State Amp, something that will go for 30 years or more (My Last Amp), so I don't need high maintenance, with at least 200 WPC @ 8 ohm load.  SO many to choose from...I've narrowed my choices down to several brands, due to the consistency of great reviews; Krell, Pass Labs, Audio Research, McIntosh, Mark Levinson, Classe.  Now looking serious at a couple by Krell or Pass.  I love most types of music, classical, jazz, rock, punk, electronica, metal, but not Rap & Country.  I love great detail in my music, fast and bold but rich and  warm, played soft or loud with a big soundstage, love bass slam and crisp highs, too much midrange hurts my ears. Which amp does it all???  Wife has me limited to this, you know how that is :(...Please help me out here folks...I've been in this dilemma for a few years, it's time to make a decision and buy! 
128x128cohicks4
Audio Classics in Vestal, New York.

All sortsa pre-owned monsters, and
new stuff, but $3K is not gonna carry
much weight in the NIB class.

Are you a McIntosh lover or hater?

Even their military surplus equipment is
elegant. 
Steve, 

I see this thread hasn't been added to in 2 years, but I figured I would toss in my thoughts &, potentially, resurrect it because there is some stellar info in it!

I would like to throw my "chosen path" to nirvana out there for thoughtful consideration.  Like most folks, my budget was limited [was not blessed with a golden spoon at birth & my profession required YEARS of education & training - lots of "poor years"], so I adapted by purchasing used equipment, initially from eBay <YUCK!> & now almost exclusively from A-gon. Out of that necessity, I discovered that it is massive fun to buy quality used equipment [that I could have NEVER afforded new], use it and either resell it or keep it, if I fell in love with it.  In fact, I even set up a separate checking account for my 'toy fund' - wife fully knowledgeable and very supportive [she has her own expensive hobby- photography].

I actually enjoyed the trade-in/trade-out ability to audition & play with equipment I have lusted for for year to be so much fun, I decided to keep that up.  Now that I am years into my profession, I am extremely fortunate to be able to afford much of the new, high-end stuff.  But, I grew up poor & that impact is deep.  So, I choose to buy/trade/resell/keep high-end used equipment & divert that extra capital towards other things that make my heart smile: charitable support of organizations that support & assist people-in-need & peoples-at-risk.  By no means is my musical enjoyment compromised + I am supporting good works to the benefit of others AND I am setting an example on how to conduct yourself as a good citizen of our world & culture to my daughters.  Talk about a WIN-WIN-WIN situation!

If you truly are dedicated to purchasing something new, instead of the 'big name' brands, google for small-shop craftsmen type vendors/builders.  Yes, substantially more challenging, but again my intrinsic frugality speaks, you're supporting individuals at the local level who still treat their work as a personal investment in an art form.  Odyssey comes to mine as does Emotiva [not truly in the league of Odyssey, but damned nice bang for the buck], as does ModWright [a bit pricier].
Good luck & I hope whomever reads my lengthy response derives some benefit.
http://www.odysseyaudio.com/index.html