Andy,
I have heard Vandersteen 2CE signatures with more than a dozen amplifiers, solid state, class D, and tube amplifiers. If you are looking for that seductive mid-range tube amplifiers work very well - Quicksilver, Bill Baker's Bella amplifiers, Mesa Baron, Audio Research's tube offerings and AES Six Pack amplifiers all sound superb and you'll need at least 60 watts of tube power for them to sound best. You lose a bit of bass control compared to a solid state amplifier, but the sound is oh so seductive.
Solid state amplifiers - well here you get better bass control (important consideration is you listen to a lot of full range music). Recommendations include the BEL 1001 MKV (with one of the best pairings I have ever heard), McCormack .5 Rev. A, & Theta Citadel monoblocks. I have a modified Don Nance LA100 solid state amplifier (100 watts/channel) paired with a tube preamplifier that sound very good with the Vandy's. Gordy has listened to my system extensively and might share some observations. I think it sounds a tad better than the BEL 1001 MKV, as my combination has a real vice like grip on the bass and more natural sounding midrange.
Alas I have not heard the Vandy's with Dusty Varter's Channel Island amplifiers. I would expect the CI D-100's would provide you with many hours of great listening pleasure, particularly if you pair the amplifier with a good tube preamplfier.
Andy, hopefully you can find someone with a good room set-up and pair of Vandersteen 2CE signature speakers and Channel Island D-100's. The best judge is always your ears.
While I don't have the CI's if you live in the Phildelphia/Wilmington DE area or might be by the area in the distant future, you're welcome to listen to my set up. Cheers and good luck with your amplifier search.
NB
