Looking for a new power amp - choosing between T + A, Atoll, Rogue


I have been upgrading my stereo.  I am currently running the following:  

Teac PD-505 CD transport

Chord Qutest DAC

Audible Illusions Modulus 3 pre-amp

CM Labs CM914a power amp (very old)

PMC twenty5/26i speakers (brand new)

I am happy with the current sound.  But since purchasing the PMC speakers, I am thinking that I should upgrade my amplification.  My dealer is recommending the following power amps: T + A A200, Rogue DragoN, and Atoll AM-400.  Questions:

- Is my Audible Illusions pre-amp good enough to do justice to the PMC speakers?

- Any recommendations as to which power amp would be best for my configuration?

I like a full solid sound, with good high-frequency response for imaging and tonal quality, but the system must sound musical.  I listen to a wide range of musical styles - about 50% classical and 50% everything else.  I have been very pleased with my current amplifiers.  They were great for my old Rogers Studio One speakers, but I suspect I should upgrade to do justice to the new PMC speakers.  Any feedback would be appreciated.  Thanks!

dhaswkly
Post removed 

Your Audible Illusions preamp is stellar and definitely worthy of your speakers.

I would go for the Stereo 100 Dark over the DragoN. I really like Rogue’s full tube products but never been impressed by their hybrids. 

Personally, I would probably even take a Cronus Dark over your AI preamp paired with a DragoN. 

Based on the description of what you’re seeking, the Stereo 100 with your AI preamp would be a great combo. 

If you’re set on solid state, the Parasound JC5 is very full and musical. Like other JC designs, its distortion profile is 2nd-order dominant, and therefore, uncommon among solid state and almost tube-like. 
 

Clarifications:  All equipment is broken in.  I've had all components including PMC speakers for at least a few months.  I'm in a small market, and my dealer carries all three product lines (Atoll, Rogue, T + A).  But he doesn't stock the models I mentioned.  So I have to purchase based on reviews.  I've heard my equipment with a lower-end Rogue and lower-end Atoll, and with the T + A M200 mono blocks (higher-end than I'm shopping).  I loved the sound of the T + A, but obviously it was not a fair comparison.

@ghdprentice - are you suggesting that I should up my price-range?  I consider the speakers high-end; I actually like them better than any of PMC's consumer models, and am looking at them as my final pair.  I want to do them justice.

If you want to optimize your speakers to gain the most out of them then you would want to optimize your whole audio chain. Yes, I think your speakers would benefit from an audiophile amp. Used can get you into that category. So, you don’t have to increase your budget. Most of the stuff I would recommend is over $10K new. It puts you in a place where all aspects of the sound are really well reproduced. 

Then you’ll need to look at your DAC. For long term planning purposes I look at 30% speakers, 20% amp, 20% preamp, 15% DAC and 15% streamer. Having a really solid performing preamp and amp will set you up to get the most out of any input. Of course this is just a generality. I have gone much higher on electronics and got much more out of a pair of speakers than you expect. 

There are some good recommendations listed. The only area where I would disagree is going by price. For example, if you have a $5000 budget for an amp, then you're going to buy a $5000 amp. Do all $5000 amps sound the same? Not even close. I would focus on finding the right amp. Not one that fits a price category. If it turns out that whatever amp you pick is out of your price range, you at least have a reference as to the type of sound you are looking for. And sometimes you get lucky, and like a cheaper product instead. If you live in the US, there are some pretty good non local options if you would consider other brands.