Hi again, Nightfall.
At first I was frustrated with the "it's your speakers" crew, since you are very explicit about wanting advice on amps.
But then I got to thinking: 4k used (or demoed) buys a *lot* of speaker: 8-10k new, with patience. I don't know the Silverlines, but examples are the Gallo 3.5s, the lovely Northcreeks (partial assembly required), and the fairly efficient (92/4) Montana EPS2s (which I currently) use and enjoy), or something from Selah or Zu. This is just a list of things I like, not a list tailored to your system and room, but the point is that speakers will likely buy you more audible improvement for your bucks than an amp at your pricepoint.
If you remain committed to an amp, I'd try an in home demo on a Pass 150.5, 250.5, or even (in the interests of downsizing) the INT-150, since Silverline voices with Pass. The Xs may come closer to the XAs for your purposes than you think; in any event, a demo can be arranged with Reno with low risk.
If that experiment fails, I'd think about the speaker route; one thing about being retired, you'll have time for shopping, and to wait for just the right deal. :)
My2c, again,
John
At first I was frustrated with the "it's your speakers" crew, since you are very explicit about wanting advice on amps.
But then I got to thinking: 4k used (or demoed) buys a *lot* of speaker: 8-10k new, with patience. I don't know the Silverlines, but examples are the Gallo 3.5s, the lovely Northcreeks (partial assembly required), and the fairly efficient (92/4) Montana EPS2s (which I currently) use and enjoy), or something from Selah or Zu. This is just a list of things I like, not a list tailored to your system and room, but the point is that speakers will likely buy you more audible improvement for your bucks than an amp at your pricepoint.
If you remain committed to an amp, I'd try an in home demo on a Pass 150.5, 250.5, or even (in the interests of downsizing) the INT-150, since Silverline voices with Pass. The Xs may come closer to the XAs for your purposes than you think; in any event, a demo can be arranged with Reno with low risk.
If that experiment fails, I'd think about the speaker route; one thing about being retired, you'll have time for shopping, and to wait for just the right deal. :)
My2c, again,
John

