Need recommendation for power amp under $250

I would add ATI and drop carver from your list. That's the ATI 1502 (2x125W). Most of the B&K's are also excellent.

Just because you play softly doesn't mean you don't need power. More speakers are ruined by folks using underpowered amplifiers which distort easily....and that's what ruins the speakers. I suggest that you need at least 75W continuous per channel and you would be well advised to buy an amp with 100 or more watts, even if you only play at low levels. Your sound will be cleaner and you will not run the risk of blowing your speakers.

I can speak for Adcom, Rotel, and NAD - all very solid choices that will give you years of service. All regularly appear on industry "recommended" lists.

How does Dynaco measure up? There is a 200wpc recently listed on here for under $200...

Also, anyone heard of Sonance?

Actually... scratch the Sonance. The one I was looking at was actually a sub amp.

Well, Sonance is cheap... but I'm assuming sub-par to the others we have mentioned?