Looking for amp reccomendation

Add SimAudio & Unison Research to that list.Both use a sliding bias,Class A first 5 watts then Class A/B & have a reputation for organic,tone saturated sound..The Unison Research adds a Class A Triode Tube PreAmp stage ahead of MOSFETs...

Thanks all for your responses.  Right now I use the NAD T777 ver 3. I don't think it uses Ncore in this version.  I was interested in brands, so brand suggestions were good.  Many on this site tout the great sound of a class A amp and I wanted to try one, but I didn't want to spend the money if the sound did not have a noticeable change.

I have listened to the Para Sound, and you are correct that the sound was similar to what I have now.  There aren't many dealers here, so I can't listen either.  Tough to spend a lot of money without hearing the equipment first.  I guess my final thought is I had heard great things about class A amps and wanted to try one.

I appreciate the suggestions on brand names.  I really wanted some names of amps you have tried and were satisfied with.  My thoughts were Pass, Mark Levinson and Luxman.  Thanks guys!

If I'm not mistaken, the NAD 7 channel HT amps are based on nCore amps? Good stuff.

If you want to try something else, I absolutely would not suggest Pass as the only brand you should listen to.

The triad I normally suggest in solid state is Luxman, Pass, Ayre.

I feel, perhaps not always true, that to like Pass you have to come from tube gear. If you are coming from clean class-D you may in fact find it off putting, as I do, so listen to these three as alternatives.

You should also consider Parasound A series amps, but I feel you'll probably feel them equivalent to what you have, and therefore not worth the trade.

Best,

E

Many HQ amps will,play class A then transition to A/AB.  

 MANY ARE very good!

Difficult issue !  Most true Class A amps are low power. Less than 50 W. The High power Class A amps are also very high priced. Even a previously owned one. Then there is the issue of tubes vs. solid state or even a hybrid. 
I'm not clear on what your intention is as far a speakers is concerned. Are you planning on re-configuring the Personas to use with the two channel system.? Basically, there are a lot of things to consider here, all of which would have a significant effect on the outcome of the project. Also, it's almost impossible to audition something on the used market. Building a new 2 channel system; - - -  I would have to say that there are many fine amps on the market that could be candidates, including the SCHIIT amps and pre-amps. Excellent reproduction capabilities for a small amount of money, and you wouldn't have to fool around with someone else's previously owned discards. Make certain what loudspeakers you intend to use and pay careful attention to how they might sound driven by different amp technology. Then of course there are speaker cables and interconnects to consider. I have found that the average audiophile ends up going around in circles for great periods of time trying to solve the mystery of matching components, and stay within budget restrictions. Also, I am not certain that simply going to a pure class A amp will yield any significant "magic" without other system elements fine tuned. I'd also look at good class A/B amps.

Keep watching the used section here!
many amazing amps show up.

pantience! Patience!!

 Pass class a would be amazing.

 Enjoy the hunt!

Look at the Lexicon 5 and 7 channel amps. You can get a used one for for way less than $3K. Even if it needs some professional going over, you will spend far less. I recently got and LX-7 200 watt per channel. It sounded great, but had some age related problems. The amp and repairs cost me about $1700. This will be the last amp I will buy.

Reno Hifi has a used First Watt J2 for $2,500.   $4K new.

You will notice a difference in 2 channel versus surround if you plan. 
Used is a great way to go and determining your sources is important for managing your budget. 
I started my 2 channel journey with a NAD integrated amp - I had a T786 in my media room. It was a great start and was replaced with McIntosh C2600 & MC 302 combo. 
My sources are media streamer linked to my NAS, turntable and cassette deck.  

You can afford a First Watt F7 

I heard a McIntosh MA252 with the Persona B at hifi store, sounded pretty amazing especially those speakers I couldn't believe the bass from them.

IMO keep the surround system as is,get a good TUBE Integrated Amplifier or Hybrid Tube/SS & speaker cables,feed it from the surround processor via analogue outputs which it should have..When you want to listen to 2 channel just swap the speaker cables over...You already have a Class AB SS amp & honestly I doubt your system is resolving enough to notice any difference a Class A SS amp might bring,however I have no doubt a Tube amplifier would have a considerable impact on your 2 channel listening pleasure...

Would like a Pass.  Not sure I can afford even a used one for 3K.

Pass great sound jump on a used one asap.