Yeah, I figured as much. The Wyred 1000's are what I was looking at mostly. Vincent Audio's SP-T800 hybrid monoblocks had me thinking as well, but at $4,800 / pair they're above budget, and barely make the cut at 320w into 4ohms.
The XPA-2 would work, but I like monos and would jump to the XPA-1's. I run a pair of UPA-1's in my living room system, driving a pair of LSA-1 Signature monitors, high-passed at 50Hz to a Salk Songsub. That combination is very good, and before I start this second system another Songsub will find it's way into my living room to make it 2.2.
Thanks for the input guys. Mostly I'm wondering if this ICE thing is the real deal. I've read the reviews, but I take glowing magazine reviews with a grain of salt; everything seems to glow.
Space or heat aren't issues, but I like the idea of efficiency and effortless power.
Thanks for the tube suggestions as well.
The speakers will be the first purchase, and I'll build the rest around them. I plan on taking a drive to Michigan in the spring to visit a friend outside of Flint, and hope to stop in and talk to Jim and hear his speakers. That will be the final determining factor, of course. I also love the Magnepan sound, and Magnestand modded MMG's or MG-12's are also on my list. A fellow Emotiva Lounge member here in town has a pair, driven by the same gear I have, and I'm hoping to give them a listen after the holiday. With those I'd have to add a couple of fast subs, I think. Either way, the big power requirement remains. I'm also considering the HT1 and subs, and if so I'd have Jim build a pair of Rythmiks to match, or maybe just go with more Songsubs. Thought about moving up the LSA line to the Statements as well. I love my Sigs. But you know how it is. I would have gone Maggies in the living room, but my wife vetoed that idea. So many choices.
I like the idea of keeping it simple: PC>DAC>Pre>Amps>Speakers. Done.
Maybe I should sell a kidney and up the budget, go for the Soundscape 12's.
