At prices I consider reasonable (something not costing tens of thousands of $$$) there always seems to be a trade off of dull and muddy to get smooth, or harsh and edgy to achieve detail and punch.
In the 80s I had a little 80/155 W. PSE Studio II power amp paired with a Audible Illusions pre. that, to me, was a beautiful combination of smooth, yet unveiled and detailed and dynamic without being harsh and edgy. At only about $500.00 it put to shame amps costing much more.
A couple that I can think of (somewhat reasonable in the used market) that fit the bill of smooth, yet dynamic, clear and detailed and with enough grunt to drive a larger set of Maggies - an Ayre V-5xe or a Bryston 4Bsst2 or cubed......Jim
In the 80s I had a little 80/155 W. PSE Studio II power amp paired with a Audible Illusions pre. that, to me, was a beautiful combination of smooth, yet unveiled and detailed and dynamic without being harsh and edgy. At only about $500.00 it put to shame amps costing much more.
A couple that I can think of (somewhat reasonable in the used market) that fit the bill of smooth, yet dynamic, clear and detailed and with enough grunt to drive a larger set of Maggies - an Ayre V-5xe or a Bryston 4Bsst2 or cubed......Jim