amp for Dynaudio Contour 1.1

Your friend will definitely want something with reserve power - preferably something that has at least 100 w/ch into 8 ohms and doubles (or nearly doubles) into 4 ohms. If you give those speakers the right power / current, they'll really sing. While I don't have personal experience with either, I think Wirehead's advice of investigation Musical Fidelity's stuff and/or Bryston is excellent advice - the MF stuff is really good looking on top of being very well reviewed.

I don't think it's the Dynaudio's that are giving your friend the over-brightness, particularly if he was listening to a Parasound driving them. I own a pair of the 1.1's (as well as the 3.0's) and I wouldn't use "bright" as an adjective for them at all. -Kirk

He might be happy with McCormack electronics, solid-state but a very rich, sweet sound and incredible value. A TLC-1 preamp and DNA-0.5 or DNA-1 amp would be well within his budget. The deluxe versions are even more refined. There seems to be a good selection of used McCormack stuff here on Audiogon and on ebay right now.

Wirehead, Kthomas, and Sfar, Thanks a lot for the advices. I will definitely tell my friend. A local dealer has Sim Moon I5 and Plinius 8150 integrated. Are they also good candidates to match the dyns too? Any suggestions on the CD player?
Thanks again.

I was going to suggest the Sim Moon, but wasn't sure about the price of that unit. It not only is well reviewed, it's said to mate well with Dynaudios. I think to get it <$3K, you'll have to buy used.

The Sim is only 60 watts and I don't believe enough to drive the Dynaudios. I think the Plinius might be an excellent choice. I had an 8200.