best sub $1000 amp to mate with tube preamp

Are you having fun researching and deciding, or would you have more fun listening? If the answer is listening, then buy a used version of whichever amplifier is presently at the top of your list and listen to it in your system. If you love it, then you've succeeded on the first try. If your opinion is mixed, then sell it and buy the next on the list. Reading and researching is only part of the education. The largest part of the education is listening. Only by listening will you discover what you prefer, and your preference will likely not correlate with at least three quarters of the opinions of us numbskulls offering suggestions. That's the beauty of this hobby.

There are a few excellent options offered in this thread. Pick one. Write the check, and start on down the road...

Very brief HCA-2 primer.

PS Audio has a history of designing decent sounding traditional components using parts that are commensurate with their cost. Away from the seen for a few years they returned with the HCA-2 one of the first of a new generation of switching amplifiers. Stereophile gave the difficult to measure $1695 amplifier a class A rating and created an instant controversy. While it doesn't sound like solid state or tubes it does have attributes of both and some of its own.

Other notable manufactures began producing, what is now termed class D, products giving credibility to low cost high performance amplification. As with some manufactures, PS Audio is marketing their second or third generations. The HCA-2 became popular for its price new and now for its value as a used amp. Some simple modifications take its output to even more satisfying levels. It's become one of those affordable stepping stones into high end sound.

If you buy one, when the time comes you shouldn't have a problem selling it.
I almost sold mine but for its current value I think I'll just hold on to it.

thanks vic,
i am looking for a bit of an "exit amp" want solid performance with no fatigue. is the sound good for awhile and then fatiguing or simply enjoyable? is its own sonic signature a good one? was its discontinuation due to issues or merely a new model. do you still use yours? thanks for the primer it was helpful. think i am narrowing things down. i do love the research and the listening. just don't want to be repackaging a bunch of return amps. research is always helpful.

If you are seriously considering Class D amplifiers, you might want to send an email to Audiogon member "Plato". He's a reviewer, and he has heard and reviewed the PS Audio amp along with at least one or two other Class D amplifiers. He can give you a well researched opinion based upon listening.

BTW, I have auditioned the NuForce Reference 8, Channel Islands D100 and D200, McCormack DNA-2 Platinum Revision and Odyssey Audio Stratos Extreme Monoblocks in my system with a tubed preamp (First Sound Presence Deluxe II and Modwright SWL 9.0SE). Several of them are excellent choices. They all have strengths and weaknesses.

thanks tvad,
i actually ran across the channel islands last night in reviews. again, not trying to continue the madness here just dont have the time or money to audition a lot of stuff. the hype on class d is tremendous, but its obvious that they do have a sonic signature, just wondered what it is. again i am going for a non-fatiguing sound, although nothing fat and slow either, just a touch of good warmth and the ability to portray the depth of stage on a decent recording.
dave