I actually have a pair of Dared VP-300b Set monoblocks that I really like alot, but at 8wpc I did not even attempt to try with the Minis 
Actually SET's are more like 1W - it is that first watt that is magical. I generally say, despite the recommendations of many that you need gobs of power with SP's, any reasonably powered amp is fine. But 1W is a bit too puny. Dave Ellis gives my views on amp power better than I can:
http://www.ellisaudio.com/wattsratings.htm 30W valve, 60W transistor is more than eonugh to get the job done.
For financial reasons I intend to initially use a panny XR57 being fed with a up-sampled very low jitter signal (one of the lowest that has been measured in commercial unmodified gear - 120ps worse case - it will usually be a lot lower) signal from a Azur 740C. By all reports the panny is pretty much as good as what it is being fed. Don't think just because it is cheap it is lacking:
http://www.stereomojo.com/SHOOTOUT2007INTEGRATEDS.htm Although it came last in the shootout - in many cases it was close, as one reviewer said: 'this was a very difficult decision and he would be happy with either.' And that was using the analogue inputs - the panny being totally digital is better using the digital inputs. In fact many believe it would have done better in the shootout using the digital inputs - which is how any sane person would use it anyway.
Of course that is not to say a better amp will not go better with the Timepieces - they are ruthlessly revealing - any component weakness will show up. That is not to say something like a panny will be unlistenable - it is just that better amps will be - well better. For those starting out in this hobby on a budget I believe SP speakers a panny is the way to go. They will need some hellishly expensive source gear for the Mini's to be the systems limitation.
Thanks
Bill
