best 2 channels power amp around $3k?

You've already mentioned some very good amps. Don't forget about the Aragon 8008BB; it lists for around $2800 and offers a dual monoblock design with 200 W/ch into 8 ohms. It's a dual monoblock in that the only common components between the channels are the power switch and line cord -- each channel has a separate transformers, power supply, etc.) It's ranked as Stereophile Class B and considered a great value many reviewers, equalling performance of amps costing several times as much. I bought one after listening to a conrad johnson MF-2500A (200 W/ch for $3500 list), as well as a Bryston 3B (125 W/ch, I think, at around $1300). The Aragon blew away the c-j, much to my surprise -- I was really expecting to go home with the 2500A tucked under my arm that day (if you can picture carrying a 90 pound amp that way!) The Aragon had the sense of controlled power and dynamics that the c-j didn't, and the Bryston hinted at. After several months of ownership, we love it even more, and it's blossomed nicely as it's broken in. Happy listening! Steve

The best 2 channel amp is a good used ARC amp. But who am I to say that, there are plenty of others with different experiences as noted above. To me the VT-100 amplifier at about 3-3.5K used Mint is about as good as it gets. I repeat again that I have not heard ANY solid state amp that competes with a great tube design in so far as the presence that is so readily evident in live music. The ARC products offer excellent transient response, great bass (certainly not quite the slam as a powerful Krell, Levinson, Threshold etc.) and the thing that tubes do SO WELL the presence "You are there" and the dynamic shadings of music. I might be able to live with solid state but I have never heard any solid state (I owned a Threshold for 3 years) compare with the best tube designs with ARC being at least among the very best. Ultimately trust your ears. I have heard the McCormack with Vandersteens at an audio show "Yawn" I was expecting more after hearing so many good things about the McCormack. Hey there isn't anything wrong with it it just ain't tubes. Unless you have an aversion to replacing tubes or have a low impedence speaker check the differences for yourself.

"ALL good amplifiers sound the same" Go to a few audio stores, have them switch between two or three different amps. Make sure the volume levels are maintained equal, there will be no audible difference. When buying an amp quality of construction is important. go to this website and read a little, you can learn a lot. http://sundial.net/~rogerr/

"There will be no audible difference", heh heh heh...ARE YOU A ROBOT? That's THE biggest pile of horse dung I've ever heard!!!!!! Get the hell out of this hobby, or else learn to listen already!!

Johnmbod, I don't know where you have been listening, but if the audio dealer that did a multi amp demo for you showed you no difference in sound, then you need to listen at another store. He must have had such poor equipment that he obscured the difference! Amps are just as different as engines are in cars, they are very different, and that is part of why people argue about what they hear on their speakers.