new amp for system

Ayre V-5x

You may be able to find a pair of parasound JC-1's for the price, I normally don't like recommending components I own. In this case though I feel they are well worth the audition, in there price range they are hard to beat and there used price is a steal!

I've read great things about the BAT VK-200, a balanced amp that's now been replaced by their more expensive VK-250. I own an Audio Research 100.2, a fantastic SE and balanced amp. My ARC sounds far more powerful than its 100 W/channel rating, but is also delicate and detailed -- so musical.

2 amps that I'm looking at with meridian front end, cj premier 14, classe ca 200, mit cables and thiel 3.6 are:

McIntosh M501
CJ premier 350

I like classe but I don't think I can get by the new cosmetics and I haven't heard them yet but rumor has it they are very good. Good luck - I'm about to pull the trigger myself.

Thanks for all the responses to my question. I'm going to need an amp that has at least 250watts of power. The Arial 7b is rated at an 86 sensitivity, so they are moderately hard to drive. The used amps that I am considering are...Classe ca301, Classe ca401, Bat vk500 w/bat pack, Pass Labs x250, and the Parasound JC-1. Unfortunately, the McIntosh M501 don't work well with Bat pre-amps, according to a Stereophile article that I read recently. I was drooling over those amps, until I read that. Also, the Bat vk5i has an output impedence of 100k. I've been told that I should try to match the amps input impedence to this, if possible. Thanks for all the help!