Amp Recommendations

@jbeckley42 ..."Pair of Berning EA-230 (used as monoblocks)". 

What does he not like about the pair of EA-230 amplifiers now?

Note: A a test, I've driven ML Motion speakers with four different high and low power tube amplifiers just to see what they would sound like. They are fine with my home theater yet did not make a notable impression for two channel audio. They don't operate as efficient as they are rated imo.    If your buddy goes with other tube amps or SS amps, with the same speakers - I'd make sure they have at least 2-3x more power and current than what is being used currently today.   

Look at so of the used CJ amps and used Audio Research amps

Quicksilver is a solid choice in that price range. 

@jbeckley42 

I can understand why your friend believes that 30 watts is not getting full potential from the MLs.  

However it is doubtful that a 100 WPC tube amp will fare much better- they just don’t have the reserve power that a smooth solid state amp would have and usually are rated at lower power with decreased impedance loads. 

I suggest a solid state amp that can "double down" as the speaker load is reduced.   With panel speakers I have heard excellent systems driven by the higher wattage Tube D topology of the Rogue Audio DragoN amplifier- 

https://www.audioadvisor.com/radragon-sil?sku=NEW-RADRAGON-SIL&setCurrencyId=1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21463913452&gbraid=0AAAAAD_hUXXdZejlf3_vbS19HVafxbxeN&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuNOUqYe7kQMVEVN_AB1CBCHJEAQYAyABEgLePfD_BwE  

Another contender is a used smooth sounding Mac amp, this one would do the job nicely. 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650271441-mcintosh-mc302/

@jbeckley42 as a 30+ year owner of M-L Electrostatic hybrids, ignore the naysayers about "home theater" speakers. They likely have never heard a quality set up pair of M-L hybrids (thank you Best Buy for underselling these with Yamaha receivers!). The stat panels need high current amps. I have heard fabulous sound with ARC tube on M-L hybrids. In my system I have had Aragon & Krell amps sound fantastic, but haven't owned tubes. I would also look into VTL, Cary & Quicksilver. Many M-L owners have had positive reviews with the Sanders amps as well. A newcomer that I have not yet heard paired with stats is Advance Paris. Not too expensive and seems have have a wide dealer network for new tube-based amps. Good luck.