I am not a 5/5A owner. However, I am very familiar with the speakers and have extensively auditioned it with the Bel 1001 MkV and Quicksilver V4's. I have also heard it with the latest generation ARC gear, the Joule at CES 05, and the Spectron Musician II. If you want a warm midbass and midrange, you do NOT want the Joule. To me it sounded spacious but left me wanting more meat. The V4 is definitely on the warmer and fuller sound of neutral compared to the other tube units. It also has a huge soundstage. The V4 is a classic old style tube amp. It is very seductive. To be fair I have heard it on two different Model 5 systems and not on the 5A. I've heard the Bel on the 5's and 5A's. For bass drive, the Bel can't be beat of the ones mentioned. Also it scores well in the detail and harmonic richness department and it also has a very big soundstage. Bel owners are true believers for life. I personally love the ARC house sound so that is where my bias is. It is pretty neutral, detailed, spacious, and dynamically agile but a little bit soft on top. Some folks would like a bit more meat on the bones than what ARC offers. The ARC house sound is leaner than what you would find with Quicksilver but much more substantial than the Joule. The way ARC handles dynamic shifts is magical to me. The ARC/5A system at CE 05 received a lot of raves. The Spectron sounds like no other amp I've ever heard so I couldn't recommend it for your tastes. But it was unbelievably dynamic, fast,had a technicolor soundstage and also had great bass response. It's greatest strength was its effortless power. It is a very exciting sounding pairing with the 5A. But you would never mistake it for a tube amplifier. Another 5A demo I heard that was very impressive was the Musical Surroundings at CES 05. The 5A was powered by a big Rowland. I believe it was a 302. That combination certainly is worth an audition. I thought it was terrific. It was powerful, dynamic, possessed 3D imaging, and a harmonically rich midrange.
Attention Vandersteen 5A owners/ amp matches
What are all you other 5/5A owners using to drive your speakers these days. I have noticed members using Bel and also Quicksilver. I am really thinking about selling my humble farm and spending up to 15 k (new) or used on an amp. I generally have leaned in the direction of tubes in the past, but am not totally close minded to all SS right now. I prefer a slightly warmer sound, but now of course want (almost) everything with my upgrade. I am now considering Audio research , VTL S400, Jadis Ja 80, and am interested in a used pair of Jeff Rowland 9 monos. I am looking for plenty of power( although I know 5A s are o.k. with less) which I hope will translate to a relaxed effortlessness. I want the 5A to fill my 23/12/8 size room with a nice wide ,deep soundstage with good dimensionality. Thank in advance to any and all suggestions. Boy, am I going to miss that farm.