this is a GREAT thread. I've had my PE's for years, having driven them with Nagra VPA's (amazing), Berning OLT amp (also), but also various other brands: Jeff Rowland and most recently Cary SLI 80 signature (current 80w per in ultralinear mode 40w in triode mode) with some nice older school input tubes to deliver a pretty lush sound.
I am upgrading my source to Bricasti M1 se 2 dac with network card to stream from QoBuz, and am now feeling like I need to up the amplification. The Bricasti also features a high quality volume control so could go direct into amp
To me the PE's are highly resolving with delicacy, great timbre and lots of soul - but can be revealing of input and a little harder for triode mode on the the Cary, which is admittedly an inexpensive product, but one i do have admiration for, its served me well!
I feel like the Pass labs gear (holographic with a slightly warmer feel may be the best option for my tastes - but not certain the pure class A (XA25 or XA30.8) would be up to the task for dynamics and bass. but i could be totally wrong. I do NOT want to get monos. So perhaps the a/AB X150.8?
Also looking at Luxman, but hard to rely on what reviewers say from what i hear may be a little too revealing for my tastes? again, i like the pass warmth as i hear it explained, like here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_qPZu7IHCk
I noted some comments here about and Ear 899, Soulution (maybe the 311 integrated) and also stumbled on the Vinnie Rossi Brama gear . The later two are way more expensive and more rare. Also would consider the lower end Boulder gear.
Man o man, this is fun but can be a bit overwhelming too!