Best of both worlds..Image and slam

http://angelcityaudio.com/products/gr-research/ls9/

Tend to sound almost as big.

Acoustic Zen Crescendo has incredible punch and imaging. I would suggest giving them a listen. A little above your budget new but used ones have come up under 12K, or put your bargaining skills to work if you like what your hear.

OHM 4000 or 5000 would be worth taking a look at. These are where I I would look for amps like those. These are similar to OHM F5 series 3 speakers I use with 500w/ch BelCanto ref1000m amps. The OHMs love power and current and can handle pretty much anything you throws at them pretty efortlessly. Lower price point too if you are interested in saving some $$$s. There is a new OHM F 5015 model as well with limted availability more towards the $10K price point. THese are similar but each also has on board 15" powered subs as well for the ultimate in impact and slam as well as omni imaging.

My system consists of McIntosh's 60th Anniversary edition MC75 power amps and the C-22 pre-amp connected through a McIntosh MQ109 equalizer.
My speakers are Ohms 5015 and this system is producing the deepest and most powerful bass I have ever heard. I've listened to the speakers without the equalizer and they sound good but with the addition of the Mc 109 equalizer this makes all the difference incredible low end punch. Just sharing some of my findings.
Good listening,
Jesse Rods.