Best cheap integrated amp


I'm looking to minimize my system in retirement, as I find my stereo gets minimal use. I'm looking to buy a NEW integrated amplifier under $500. 
For now I will keep my TT, DAC, and phono preamp. Next I will downsize to smaller speakers. My current system is listed in virtual systems.
Thank you. 
128x128mjcmt

Showing 7 responses by mjcmt

Thanks for these recommendations. To reiterate, I'm buying new. The NAD and Music Hall are the only ones in my price. I will study these.
Atoll IN30 is seems like a good choice if I can find one in the USA for under $500.
Though this system sounds very good I’m considering downgrading the amp for a few reasons:
1. Infrequent use the system, so I question the logic of owning a $2k tube amp.
2. The matter of inconvenience of letting a tube amp warm up for best performance. I would use it more often for shorter periods of time.
That’s it in a nut shell.
Thanks for the recommendations. Reviews seem to indicate the NAD 316BEE and Emotiva TA100 may be the best <$500 integrated amps, with the edge to the NAD. The Emotiva includes a DAC which I don't necessarily need. What do you think of these?

Thanks for all the suggestions. Since posting this I picked up a Rega Mira 3 to use with my Schiit Modi3 DAC and recently aquired Dynaudio Emit10 monitor speakers. For fun a picked up a Yamaha rxv681 AVR to concider. The Rega sounds better but Yamaha has room correction, so no final decisions yet. I may look for a Dynaudio Emit15c center speaker and give 3.0 a try for the TV system. It’s all up in the air, but I think I'm set for now.