Best Bang 4 the $ Intergrated Amp

What is his budget? I assume he would buy used and could wait for something to come up for sale.

Used,original made in England Audiolab 8000 should do just fine. A, LX or S. 60watt/ch 8ohm, almost doubles with 4 ohm. In reality it is more powerful, good drive and bass. Very reliable. Not easy to find but shows up here or on ebay from time to time for $300 or so.

Thank you, just watched it. I have had 8000LX for 12 years; great value. Good power cord wouldn't hurt.

I wouldn't really call it tube like. I use Custom Power Cord Co. Top Gun power cord; before that I used their entry level Hi-Value which was also much better than stock but this latest upgrade made quite a difference.
I also use Purist Audio Maximus interconnects and Colossus speaker cables. The amp. sits on three Boston Audio standard tuneblocks that made audible difference as well.

Audiolab has a nice clean pretty neutral SS sound; it is not sterile and cold nor is it particulary warm. It is sensitive to power cords and other tweaks; also it doesn't like voltage fluctuations, the power supply is not sophisticated enough, so I use Furman 1215 voltage regulator/conditioner that makes things better though doesn't cure everything at all. Excellent sounstage depth and acceptable width with the right cables.
The rest of my system: Notingham Spacedeck/Spacearm with soon to be replaced Dynavector 10X5 cartridge, AcousTech PH-1 phono stage ( with Top Gun power cord ), CEC TL5100Z belt drive CD player, Nakamichi 682ZX cassette deck and Michael Green Design Revolution 80i free resonance speakers. The speakers are warm and somewhat loose and require firm amp control. Under the speakers are Polycrystal spikes and under them are Boston Audio tuneblocks for speakers. Hardwood floor, no carpet.
I listen to a wide variety of music but no classical, country, rap etc.
I would say that this system is better for acoustic music in a medium size room, but not bad for electronic either.
Overall, quite good but I will replace the Audiolab with something like Rowland or Gryphon in the future.

That may be but try to find this Aussie Redgum thing used.