Try the Crown Macro Reference. At today's used prices, it should just fit your budget. I have owned these and found very few amps, even to this day, that will better it in almost any performance area you care to mention. It has tremendous power (750 wpc in stereo mode)for an effortless sound and, if you want low end punch, this amp is as good, or better than anything out there. Don't be misled by anyone who would excuse this as not being a true high-end product. Listen and judge for yourself.
Which Solid State amp 2k used? Krell?
I'm considering changing my amplifier and for some reason I can't quite put my finger on, Krell appeals to me. Here's the set up: Oracle DelphiIV/SME345/Grado Reference on a marble slab, Lehmann Black Cube phono section, BAT VK30 preamp, YBA CD Integre on a Bright Star base, Magnum Dynalab on a Bright Star Base, Classe DR-8 amp on a 1" thick marine grade plywood base, Martin Logan Quest Z's. IEC power cords are Synergistic Research Master Couplers for preamp, Lehmann Cube, and amplifier. YBA CDP has the high-end YBA cord, speakers are MIT Z-Cord II's, tuner has it's own cheesy captive cord. IC's are a mix of custom cables from Classe, YBA, and Audioquest. Speaker wires were built by Classe for me many many years ago, eight 8' runs. I had two DR8's and sold one, so I'm running a single stereo amp in bi-wired mode. I listen to a wide range of rock music, with a little classical and blues thrown in every now and then. The sound just isn't full or authoritative enough; everything I've heard about Krell amplifiers are they fill the bottom end out and provide plenty of muscle. Any and all opinions for a good amplifier to match up with my system is much appreciated. Thanks, Jeff