Amp-preamp, Integrated paring with Magico A3

@glennewdick following up on part of @soix ’s suggestion, have you read this review of the CODA 16?  Class A for the first 100 wpc  (at either 8 or 4 ohms) and total 150 wpc into 8 ohms, doubling into 4 ohms.  (The A3s are 4 ohm speakers, right?) I had neither the space (nor the appetite) for this amp, but I did just buy the integrated CSiB V2 (250 wpc at 8ohms, doubling at 4 and 2 ohms, Class A for first 12 watts), and while it’s not paired with ideal speakers (Revel F226Bes), and probably not fully broken in yet, it still makes the F226s sound very much better (more alive and musical; not as harsh in the upper frequencies) than they did before. (In February, i will get to pair it with Joseph Audio Perspective 2 Graphenes, and I’m very much looking forward to that!)  In case it’s of interest, here is a review of the CSib V2 .

I don’t know if it is possible to hear the 16 in the Seattle or Vancouver BC area, but I would defintiely suggest it if you want a powerful, dynamic but still neutral sounding amp, it is worth hunting down. (And of course the CSiB has enough power for the A3s at a fraction of the price, but I have to believe that the 16 with a good tube pre-amp would be magic.)

Good luck!

@soix don't forget the amazing Audionet Max amps...can be found used in his budget.  Magicos love the high current and speed.  Their resolution and dynamics would pair well with a tube pre.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650277776-audionet-max-monoblock-pair-w-stands-and-map4-power-cords/

or call GTT Audio!

@Soix ´´Given what you said I think a tube pre with a good solid state amp makes a lotta sense and may be the best of all worlds.´´

Think about Vinnie Rossi ; Brama Mono and Pre ; generation 1 ( must still be availlable ) or generation 2

How about the ARC reference pre with the Boulder 2160 amp? 

+1 @fastfreight and Audionet. There are a couple of G2 preamps out there as well. The synergy between their components is amazing.