Anthem STR used can be had for similar money, personally I would look there or NAD M33 as well. I can tell you I started down this road with the thought of upgrading to top of the line AVR but hearing a good integrated blew the doors off of that theory. HT Bypass is a godsend. I just kept my older AVR and have everything working in harmony now.
2 channel amp upgrade question
Time to retire my old NAD C270...works fine but upgrading my gear and now use AQ Rocket 33 Bi Wires into B&W CM9s...banana plugs won't work so...I was considering several integrated amps for the convenience and to avoid running my Node2 (using their internal DAC), Oppo 103 and Project Expression III with a basic Sumiko through my NAD 758 AVR which I do now, plus power cords for external gear..I'm lso trotting g out my old Nakamichi cassette deck to get refurbished...what the hell..anyway I'm OK with a basic 5.1 setup through the 758 but I like the idea of HT Bypass because..let's face it...I watch TV or Stuff on my Roku Ultra most of the time...but for serious stereo music I think I can do much better...the CM9s sound good to me after careful room placement but my Gut says "More Current".. I use Transparent HDMI and AQ coax and Toslink digital cables and also use a powered sub for the bottom end...I have a difficult room, an old house with plaster walls and many curved corners etc..an example of what looks good and my price range is that Parasound Hint 6...local stores have Atoll and Rotel but Rotel doesn't have HT bypass...anything I'm missing? Thanks...