After 20 years, in the market for a power amp

Thank you for all the responses!
 

Part of what is making this difficult is that I am actually buying not so much for the GE’s, but rather what comes down the road (which could in fact be more GE’s). So the real exercise is what pairs well the Primaluna but also with a future pair of speakers in the $10k range or higher.

I am looking to add some power for that reason. Maggies are off the table due to my room layout, but just about anything else is possible. A Pass 250.8 is probably my dream amp and within striking distance used. But I’m not married to that idea. I know there are a lot of folks on here with more knowledge than I do.

sensitivity 92 seems easy; 4 ohms, compatible with 8 ohms seems easy

however, they are nominal 4 ohms, and there must be dips below that, so I would limit my list to amps that do well with 2 ohm loads.

Prima Luna EVO 200’s offer 2 ohm taps as well as 4 and 8 when used as MonoBlocks, and fit your budget

PrimaLuna EVO 200

I know there are strong opinions about class D amps and if you have a strong bias against them, I might as well shut up right now :). However if you don’t, there are a number of class D offerings featuring Hypex and Purifi modules as well as ICEpower amps by OEM manufacturers. While many will poo-poo their sonic signature or perhaps the lack thereof, class D has truly arrived. Their advantages over other more traditional architecture is well documented and quite valid. I just recently got a VTV amplifier (assembled in Ohio) featuring the Hypex NC502 module that is one of the cleanest I have ever heard. Neutral, powerful, cool running and 350-ish clean watts into 6 ohms. Physically attractive in a minimalist kind of way and 759 bucks delivered. Hard to argue with roughly $1/watt of quality amplification. This could save you a ton of money over some choices you could make and you get a 30 day trial period. If you don’t like it send it back for a refund. Warren was great to deal with and answered my questions prior to purchase. No, I am not being compensated for the recommendation. Its based entirely on my own satisfaction with what I got for my money.

https://vtvamplifier.com/product/vtv-amplifier-stereo-hypex-nc502mp-ncore-amplifier-500wx2/

+3 Coda S5.5. There is a good discussion at:

Coda S5.5

I would call Doug Dale with Coda.  Tell him what you have for gear.  You should also think about your long term plan.  Will you ever change speakers?

For my Von Schweikert Endeavor RE speakers, Doug recommended the No 8, V1.  That's what I bought.

I've been using tube preamps with solid state amps for years.  First were conrad-johnson.  Now it's a Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL preamp. 

+1 on the CODA S5.5, best SS Class A amp the near side of $6K new IMHO, but might not work well with your tube pre unless it has low-ish impedance.

Make sure whatever you are looking at matches up well in terms of impedance.

I agree with audiophile1.  Over the last 20 years I have paired tubed preamps with Bryston SS power amps. Bryston amps are neutral, powerful, effortless and dependable. Currently I use the Bryston 14b3, but the Bryston 4b3 is a real solid piece of gear and can be found used for 3500 to 4000 range. Since the Bryston is so neutral, your sound will be determined by what your tube preamp (and cable choices) sound like.  

@pvnasby 

I love my Odyssey Kismet Extreme Monoblocks and hope they last a long time. Odyssey has a sound you might miss, could be worth a call over to Klaus and discuss your issues and needs and maybe he could get you back on track. 
There’s nothing out there at his quality level for the price and he takes care of his customers…

Second hand Vitus SS101 and vayas con Dios. 

I would give serious consideration to the just released PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Power amp. The best of both world. Should be a great pairing with your preamp. This power amp was just released. 

When I owned the GE Triton Ones, I drove them with an Odyssey Stratos, a Conrad Johnson  250 wpc amp, and a McIntosh MC152 amp. I moved on to the GE Triton Refernce Speakers and a McIntosh 300wpc amp. They sounded good with all the amps.   Erik Squires loves to push Parasound and does not like the GE line of speakers as he thinks they are too bright.  I do not find the GE speakers bright at all.  Sandy Gross the designer of the speakers used a tube amp in his personal system.  They sounded fantastic with tubes.  Personally, I would go with Prima Luna’s hybrid amp.  You get the best of both worlds, a solid state output with a tube input.  I would talk to Uncle Kevin at Upscale Audio as he is also the distributor of the Prima Luna line. 

You might want to look at the Anthem P2 power amp it goes for about 5k.

I have a Pass Labs XA25 pure class A and extremely happy with it. Very transparent with tad warm presence. Easy to match with different speakers. It is a reference amp for many audio reviewers. Likely the last component I would change. Coda may be one to explore. Tried the Moon 330, very good but timid. Also heard the Ayre vx 5 - twenty. Could be an excellent option if you can find a used one. Very refined and neutral IMHO.

I would do a home demo of the new Schitt Wotan amp at $1999. I want to sell my Sanders Magtech to get the Wotan mainly because I need a power standby switch, and the Wotan is likely sonically comparable to the Magtech.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

You can buy a brand a new Coda S5.5 in your budget, outstanding amp and will drive the T 1's with ease.  Contact Tom at Big Ear Stereo for a good price. I had T1.r's for while so i have experience with them.

Pass XA30.8 used within your price range. Warmer but less dynamic than the X250.8 that’s also in your price range used. 
Coda no.8 is another option. This amp is faster, more articulate than the Pass but still retains natural tone and is clear and relaxed sounding. 
SimAudio Moon 330A is on the lower end of the scale price wise but is very competitive. Slightly less warmth than the above mentioned amps but never harsh or bright. 
 

Another choice is a matching primaluna amp but that’s tubes. 

You should check out the Belles MOSFET amps!!

https://powermodules.com/

Yes, my preference is to pair it with a SS amp for power handling. Sound-wise, I very much like the way the Primaluna sounds. It was a huge improvement. 

I listen to a lot of rock and folk, with a smattering of other genres. 

Tube or Solid State?

You can match that Primaluna preamp with a nice solid state amp. What’s your preference for sound?

My limited experience with GE speakers always makes me want to pair them with excessively warm amps like Parasound.