Hello from Wisconsin. I know exactly what you mean about the Aleph 30, GREAT AMP! but lacking in absolute slam. I think the reason you find the Aleph so intoxicating is that it is a single ended design. Push-Pull amps, either Tube or Solid state invariably suffer from a lack of speed (hence the resolution issue), intermodulation distortion (which shows up as a lack of ultimate focus) and crossover distortion (wich effects all of the above). I know you must be thinking that if you were to get a single ended Tube amp, it would'nt provide enough power and that the deep bass resolution might be lacking, but I can tell you that if properly designed and using the right Tube, neither of those issues has to be a problem.
I have a pair of Sophia Electric 845 Monoblocs ($6000.00 Retail) that provide a very dynamic, transparent & powerful 20 watts each. They are cappable of far greater sonic performance than the Aleph 30 & even being rated at 1/3rd less power, I am confident they would exibit better control and perceptably greater power output. Due to my recent divorce, I would be willing to let them go for $1950.00/pr. I know this amount is appreciably more than your ad said you were hoping to spend, but the additional investment would be well worth it. Let me know if there are any questions I can answer for you. Dave
P.S. This is as yet the first and only time I've offered these Monoblocs for sale, it breaks my heart to do so, Dave