Well, its come down to these choices: a tube headamp or Antness' Gilmore. Either needs to be under $500. I will be using it at home with my RS-1s, and can wait a few months if need be (someone mentioned a new MG Head coming out).

Solid State - Gilmore
The Gilmore I may be able to swing as a DIY kit through a friend's help, which reduces the cost. Definitely a good thing. This amp gets raves and raves, and for solid state, is really the only one I am considering right now.

Tube
What Tube amps under $500 would give the Gilmore a run for its money? According to Kelly, there are only 2 best bang for the buck Tube amps in that price range:

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X-cans not worth the money, since new tubes must be installed?

I think the ZOTL is out of my range...
Melos SHA-1 is under consideration, but im worried about maintenance costs or buying blindly off of audiogon...
EMP...too much

I would have included this in Ramtha604's $300-650 thread, but didnt want to hijack it or steer away from his buying needs.

thanks everyone.

I think there are a couple Melos' avail. right now on the For sale section. I'd say go with the Melos. You can even have carlo upgrade parts for you (see his Mall-Fi ad) so there's an upgrade path in the future.

Mark

If the Gilmore is really as good as kelly describes it, I'd only get the MG Head if you absolutely need tube warmth in your system. Can't comment on the Sonic Adventures amp, haven't heard it.

Well, if you can get a friend to help you, talk to Antness about ordering a kit for the full balanced bridge Gilmore amp! Twice the voltage swing, twice the slew rate, more bass, more everything--

I have a feeling the balanced model will cross the $500 barrier, even as a kit.

For modern Grados, I recommend a cheap, soft, slightly rolled off amp.

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ok, pretending such a thing exists, now what would it be called....