SS Amp Choices

Thanks all for your responses and recommendations.  I will have time to review them over the holiday weekend.  One other potential amp that a friend had brought up that is in the $ range for a lightly used amp - McIntosh MC 152.  

@soix - I liked the recommendation on the McCormack but it was for local pickup.  The Plinius looks very clean and I bet sounds awesome.  I know how much heat my F8 puts out in a smaller audio closet and would be concerned with this in the space.  I will look into this factor a bit more.  

The Kinki studio EX-M1 is an amazing amp. Worth looking into, I had one for a short time, I should have kept it.

If your speaker can do Pass X25 this is my first choice. I heard the fiirst watt and x25 from my friend system, I prefer the x25. You can’t go wrong on Plinius and Krell.

Yes Pl

OP some great choices here.  Please consider Odyssey Audio, Indianapolis, IN.

I've been running the Kismet amp for about a year ... I can't create a scenario where I will ever be rid of it.  Simply sublime, built well ... and within your budget.

You won’t go wrong with the Van Alstine. My friend uses the DVA SET 500 with his Harbeths and it is outstanding. BTW, if the Van Alstine isn't to your liking you can return it with full refund!

I liked the SST Son of Ampzilla 2 better than the AVA Set 500 in my Von Schweikert VR-4/ Audible Illusions rig. I see the Music Room has a used one on sale for 2 grand. YMMV

Since you like your F8 I thought this Plinius Class A amp might be worth mentioning as it has a low-bias mode so you can leave it on without killing your electric bill…
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650105469-plinius-sa-103-class-amps-amazing-powerful-class-a/

Here’s a McCormack DNA 225 that’s well below your price range but is a great amp that’ll power just about anything you throw at it…
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650106356-mccormack-dna-225-power-amplifier/

Best of luck.

Check out Magnus Audio. The are made in California. I have the MA400 from them & it's wonderful. I suspect they make a few models in your price range. They also occasionally come up used.