Best amp under $6k, in your opinion?

If Tube Research Labs solid state amps are so great, I wonder how their (far more) expensive tube amps stack up?

Perrew,

The Berning is extremely neutral IMO. Some have referred to it as lean. I don't agree with that. In many ways it has the same attributes as an excellent passive premp. The sytem I listened to it in also included a Joule LA-100 MkIII preamp, Cary CDP, and Merlin speakers. The Berning just let the music through.

On the other hand the Moscode has some of the best bass I have ever heard in an amp. In comparison to the Berning it sounds a little meatier and adds a little color, but not much. The Moscode was used with a passive TVC, Ayre CDP, and Spendor speakers.

The Moscode 401HR improves substantially with a good active preamp, IMO. I
initially heard the 401HR in the Moscode demo room at the LA Home
Entertainment Show in 2006 (I think it was 2006...). George was using the
Placette passive preamp.

I thought it sounded very good, but I thought it sounded even better...more
musical, robust and lifelike...with a Lamm LL2 Deluxe preamp.

While I can only speculate, I suspect George selected a passive preamp to
eliminate one variable that could affect the system's sound. By using the
passive preamp, listeners could be more certain that they were hearing the amp
as uncolored as possible.

Have you considered a pair of NuForce 9SE V2? They are in your price range and could easily drive your speakers. Power cord upgrade is a must and still would be around 6K.

Ck,
problem is I think Spectron is better and I want better than Spectron.