laid back stereo power amp

I would not recommend Odyssey amps.  They are not laid back at all.  Also, do not by Emotiva if you want something laid back.  They are all very fast and very bright (harsh in some instances).

For laid back,  I second the recommendation for ARC (Audio Research).  Also, McIntosh amp are very mild and laid back in the midrange and upper registers.

i do not agree with auxinput’s characterization of odyssey amps being bright

I did not say Odyssey amps were bright at all.  Odyssey amps are very neutral, but very fast and high resolution.  The OP was specifically asking for "laid back" amps and while Odyssey amps may sound very good in this situation, they would not be laid back.

It was the Emotiva amps I was describing as "bright".