Amps to audition for Martin Logan Clarity

[Feanor]

I'm buying a pair of Martin Logan Clarity speakers. I have tried both integrated amps and 5.1 receivers in my price range and found the amps to be superior for music, which is my primary use case.

I have auditioned Marantz pm7001 and Denon 697 and preferred the Marantz. My budget for the amp is $600. I would be willing to go upto $800 if I’m getting something much better.

I have a couple of questions:
1) What are other good amps in my price range that I should listen to before I decide?
2) The store where I’m buying the speakers carries only Marantz and Denon. How do I audition other amps with my speakers? Other stores do carry other brand amps but don’t carry the speakers I’m looking at.
...
Thanks,
Kz

People around here are respecting your $800 budget for amps but the truth is amps in the range, (including anything from Marantz, Denon, Rotel, etc.), won't entirely do justice to the Clarity electrostatics. You owe yourself a better ampfilier than any of these -- if not immediately, as soon as you can find the cash.

Unfortunately you will be look at twice your budget at least if you buy new. I would suggest buy something used, save your funds, and final sell your initial purchase and buy what will really do the job. (The good thing about buying used is that you can usually sell without too big a loss.)

[bobsticks]

Hey Bill,

I agree that nothin we've mentioned thus far has been the ultimate solution. I couldn't help but notice that the amount he is willing to spend for an amp is equal to the discount on the MLs and concluded that the king is trying to stick to pre-existing budget constraints.

IMO, going with a Rotel or the used PS Audio would be a very listenable and worthy stopgap...at least until the bankflow will support the next case of upgradeitis

Cheers