ProAc D Two and an amp to live with forever


So, before the economy falls into the bottomless abyss, I likely have one chance to pick up an amplifier that I can live with for a long, long time.

I currently have a Naim Nait 5i powering what are clearly speakers I love. Really love. And the system sounds pretty good to me. But, I know from hearing other systems that these ProAcs can sound even better. By better I think I mean primarily richer, fuller and more lush. Not surprisingly, most of the systems that sounded better were tubed systems and I have never owned a tube amp.

The Manley Stingray has sounded fantastic to me the few times I have heard it, but I am unsure that it is the amp that can make the most of these speakers. If it is, that's great since its the cheapest option I am looking at now (cheaper suggestions welcome) and I am predisposed to like it.

The PrimaLuna Prologue and Dialogue are certainly tempting based on reputation, but I haven't heard them at all.

And the Cary SLI-80 from a feature standpoint have everything I am looking for (I think), including a remote and headphone amp, but I haven't heard this for more than a minute. This is also the absolute upper limit of my price range - in fact, this would likely be a used purchase, where with the others I'd look for used, but maybe buy new if I got tired of waiting.

I can, and will, listen to all of these. I can't listen to them with my speakers though due to the vagaries of local product line distribution. Home demo isn't likely to be an option since I am a recent transplant without any sort of relationship with the local dealers either.

Source is a Benchmark DAC. Music is jazz, latin, rock of the Tom Waits and Pixies sorts, and even a little Buck 65 style hip hop (and for those that don't know, this is more like Tom Waits than Jay-Z, but it still has some beats behind it that the kids like).

What else? Almarro and Audiomat have caught my eye at various times. And I have heard the Ayre integrated sound really good in several systems, but I am not sure it would get me what I think I want. That said, despite the longing-for-tubes set up above, at the end of the day I am looking for synergy and am willing to go in most any direction to get it. I would appreciate hearing from anyone with words of wisdom.

Thanks in advance!
yph
BTW - I have NO experience with either the Leben or ProAcs. I was just making an observation.
I recently heard the D2's and the much larger D38's with the Primare i30 integrated amplifier. It sounded great with both speakers. I have also heard the D2's with the Leben and thought they sounded great together however, it was in a small NYC apartment. I cannot say how they would work in a large space. On the other hand I heard the Primare with both Proac's in a larger (19x26x12) room and they were able to fill the room with sound. The Primare is only $2500 new.

Good Luck!
I wanted to thank every one for responding and provide an update. Of the options I was considering and those recommended, I have actually been able to have two in house. I was able to get both the Rogue Cronus and a Primare i30 into my system, with a night of overlap where they were both here.

I didn't buy either, but the testing did decide for me that now is the time to try tubes.

The Primare was clearly better than the Naim I am using - I would say it simply has more of everything. Nothing to complain about at all - in fact if I abandon the tube idea it is where I would head in a second.

The Rogue though was just so fun to have in the room - everything sounded good. This might be the truth versus beauty thing - but I was really loving the beauty for the three or so days I had it. The Primare gave me more detail certainly - Mingus was growling away and seemed like I'd almost understand him if I leaned in - but the Cronus made the whole thing filled with life.

So, tubes for me.

After reading about it everywhere, I'd really love to hear that Leben but barring a recession fire sale it isn't going to happen - this is discretionary spending, and that would be spending the bread money.

I still want to hear the Stingray, but now I think I am really trying to make sure I can hear something KT88 based and something EL84 based.

Thanks folks!
Pick up a used ARC VT-100 mkii and never look back. I'd be very surprised if you didn't get what you are looking for.
Hi

Just to tell you that I was in Montreal for the ProAc D2 / Leben CS600 combination as reported by Stereophile. Oh Lord ! Organic, deep, open & most of all, soulful system. The source was a Clearaudio turntable. I have ProAc D15 and i'm hoping to get a Leben CS600 someday. I'm also curious about the VTL It-85 latest model. I haven't listened to it yet.

Good luck