Is there a very nice SS amp around 1K?

Try to find a used Odyssey Stratos, should find one in your price range.

Cheers,
John

I'm glad you are enjoying the RSA Haley Jim, it does not surprise me that you chose it. It's quite a bargain, IMHO.

As for the amp, I recommended the Odyssey Stratos because of ALL of the criteria you originally listed. SS, around $1K, XLR & RCA inputs, 100 wpc, balanced presentation AND not real old.

I agree with Semi, that my first choice under $1K would be the Forte 4A. Great amp! Can be had for much less than $1K, and will outperform many much more expensive amps. However, it only puts out 50 wpc into 8 ohms, and it IS relatively old. McCormack and BAT are both very good SS amps too, but again, not very new for a kilobuck.

Enter the Odyssey Stratos, this amp competes with many MUCH more expensive amps, and those that tend to 'snub' it do so because it does not cost enough. Search the archives, here and at Audio Asylum. You'll find that this amp will best fit ALL of your original criteria. Should your criteria change, your options may too. However, the Stratos DOES show that there is very good SS for around $1K, IMHO.

Cheers,
John

Jim, you did not say that you were originally looking for a truely balanced amp. It would have been a revelation had you mentioned this.
If you choose to limit yourself to fully balanced amps less than $1K, I would say to go ahead and look for the VK-200 that you seem to seek.
Just change your original question for balanced only, and forsake the RCA connectors, so we know what you're looking for.

Cheers,
John