Check out the Magnum IA-170 integrated from the UK (it retails for $750, or so, w/o the phono stage option).
It has a nice neutral sound that draws one's attention to the music instead of the amp itself and good bass/mid bass control (even on 4 ohm speakers). Kind of odd looking with a chrome facepate, but I preferred it's sound over Plinius and Classe integrateds a few years back (not as laid back as Classe and not as forward as Plinius).
Anyway, I found it to be a real shocker in this price range (especially if you compare it to NAD and the likes).
I was auditioning my speakers @ the time and had requested ahead that the shop hook them up to modestly priced amplification (don't like the $10K amp running $800 speakers concept when I am trying to make a real world decision:-). Otherwise I probably never would have heard (or heard of) the amp as it is not very common in the US.
It has a nice neutral sound that draws one's attention to the music instead of the amp itself and good bass/mid bass control (even on 4 ohm speakers). Kind of odd looking with a chrome facepate, but I preferred it's sound over Plinius and Classe integrateds a few years back (not as laid back as Classe and not as forward as Plinius).
Anyway, I found it to be a real shocker in this price range (especially if you compare it to NAD and the likes).
I was auditioning my speakers @ the time and had requested ahead that the shop hook them up to modestly priced amplification (don't like the $10K amp running $800 speakers concept when I am trying to make a real world decision:-). Otherwise I probably never would have heard (or heard of) the amp as it is not very common in the US.