I used to have an MÇ 2300. Fantastic amp. I don't understand what it is you don't like about the 2500. I have always felt it better to have a powerful clean amp, that (and I wouldn't want to be in the room if if could) can't be driven into distortion than one with less power that can be. Most speakers can handle CLEAN power, and with the Mac, you should have that in spades.
If you are blowing fuses, I would think that they are either too small or something is amiss with the Dahlquists. It has been years since I have heard them, but if I remember right they could absorb large amounts of power with little difficulty, and load shouldn't be a problem either as the Mac can safely drive a half ohm load.
With regard to a new preamp, hard to go wrong with a C-22, or any Mac preamp for that matter. Enjoy, the DQ's are very nice indeed
If you are blowing fuses, I would think that they are either too small or something is amiss with the Dahlquists. It has been years since I have heard them, but if I remember right they could absorb large amounts of power with little difficulty, and load shouldn't be a problem either as the Mac can safely drive a half ohm load.
With regard to a new preamp, hard to go wrong with a C-22, or any Mac preamp for that matter. Enjoy, the DQ's are very nice indeed