Need help deciding which power amp to buy.

Thanks Tvad - I will definately have to check out the Pass Labs XA-30.5

When I was auditioning amps, I had the Nuforce Ref9SE V2, Bel Canto Ref1000 and Pass Labs XA-30.5 in my system (driving Silverline Sonata III). There was no contest. The Pass Labs did everything right..with finesse, control, tonal balance, and complete naturalness.

Thanks both of you for your suggestions. I am now considering maybe a class D amp with balanced inputs like a Nuforce, Bel Canto, ARC or maybe a Cary. Just have to narrow it down on what will be the best one to go with.

In reviews and shows where Carl has set up this model, I've seen references to
deHavilland Aries 845-G:

http://www.nolaspeakers.com/reviews/6moons.com/HE2003_wrapup.html

ahh... but they're more than 5k and not balanced... never mind.

Pass Labs XA-30.5 is awfully good. Don't let the 30wpc power rating fool you.

If you have a small or medium size room, and if you don't listen at 100dB, it might be the ticket.