Which amp ? ...

Reelsmith: have you gotten the beast home and hooked up yet? I'm curious to know if our recommendations have met with your approval...

The Aragon I have not heard, but it's reputation precedes it.

The Theshold is a very decent amplifier, but I remember it as being a bit weak-kneed in the bottom most octaves. Threshold does offer the option to upgrade the T200 to the latest STASIS version with full warranty, but the cost would double your investment.

The smooth top you are looking for may elude you with the Bryston, depending upon your interpretation of 'smooth.' It's a tank with lots of headroom, but I feel it a tad glassy up top.

I'll have to second Myraj in suggesting you add the BAT to your short list. In your price range, you'll be hard pressed to find a better built, sweeter sounding amp with tons of headroom. You'll be able to bang your head for hours on end with this one.

Wow. I'm sorry our recommendations didn't work out so well.

I too have sampled a number of different combinations of gear over the years, and oddly arrived at quite a collection of BAT components that satisfy my needs (however different they are from yours) very well. I've not owned a 3i in my travels, but still own a 5i that I can't part with, a 50se, along with a D5, VK60 and the aforementioned VK200. Of course, now I'm in the market for a 75se ;)

The performance you describe may have been related to the 3i, but there is a 'house' sound to BAT gear that leads me to believe that it should have at least had similar sonic characteristics to other BAT products. I've never heard the Snells in tandem with any BAT product either, so the combination may have just lacked synergy.

All that being said, it is nice to hear that you made your way back to components that can put a smile on your face.