Best Integrated that you've heard under $5k

I recently purchased a Luxman 505 integrated amp and am very pleased so far.

Pass Labs INT-25. 

Naim Unity Atom (auditioned)---surprised me! I love my Luxman 505Uxii.

My Line Magnetic 508 fitted with Nos RCA 805, RCA 5691, Melz 1578 and Eml 300b(modern)

Loving you was like party
https://youtu.be/LE8j3ufH3u4
https://youtu.be/gGu9NfsMzGQ

In my experience listening to 20+ amps of various combinations,

Luxman L-590 AXII (fabulous Class A integrated I’ve owned in this price range)

I own this piece.

I agree with MC...go with a Raven Blackhawk 3.1, tubes from Dave as well.  You won't be disappointed.  The rig is astounding, 

To say "there is no best" is absolute hogwash.
He didn’t ask "what is the best". he asked "what is the best YOU’VE heard".
Everyone has their own criteria. The other mistake is to omit the "why" you think was the best you’ve heard so as to establish personal preferences in sound to correlate with the op preferences.
The last mistake is to talk in audiophile jargon:
What the hell is "I like it because it sounds musical" supposed to mean..Huh? Or.."it brings out the emotion". or "it sounds warm". What?
What is "warm " to you mean? Your "emotions" are your own. Do you even know why that happens?

So pure and simple, what’s the best you’ve heard so far in your life and WHY?
For me, with my ProAc Studio 100’s.under 5k, it was I 30 series (w the exception of the I-32) from Primare.
I like clarity, neutrality, timbre correctness, impactful first transient notes along with no treble round off and harmonic weight which is really a bit of distortion added. These are the qualities that imbue "realism" for me and a perfect balance between clinical and muddled.
So this is the practical side of me.
I hesitate to mention what the epitome of what I’ve heard in intergrateds is for me: that being the Line Magnetic 845iA.
This thing is big (73 lbs) runs as hot as Hades and is my preference single ended configuration.
It can be lethal if touched incorrectly and will burn your skin off if you brush against the 845’s.
Not the best to have w young grandkids around the home and it being the only amp source when listening to holiday music w everyone around.
Other than that, it is truly the best I’ve heard for the above mentioned criteria.

I have a soft spot for good integrated amps, and, while the list is short compared to many audiophiles, I have enjoyed a few good ones over the years.

The list includes:

PASS Aleph (many years ago)
Bryston 4B (ditto)
Jeff Rowland Concentra I (loved it; >$5k, but I bought it used)
re-capped Accuphase e-303x (fabulous for a vintage amp)
HEGEL h190 (hard to fault)

Which leads to my answer to the OP’s question: the GATO AMP-150

This Danish-designed amp is largely under-the-radar in the U.S., but fairly well-known and received by audiophiles in Europe. The unusual aesthetics are somewhat polarizing – some love it, others, not so much. But I find the sound produced to be exceptionally good. It is very neutral/accurate, but with a touch of warmth, which I happen to like.

I used the GATO, HEGEL and Accuphase with my current Harbeth 30.1

The topology is interesting, and worth reading about (or watch the reviews below).

FWIW, but Steve Guttenberg and John Darko loved the amp, and have dedicated episodes to it. Darko compared it both directly and favorably to the more expensive Hegel H390.

You don’t need to spend anywhere near that kind of money. 

My system is 100k plus. I have had many amps over the years, high end and others, and spent a lot of money on this wonderful hobby. 

Ultimately, it will come down to three main variables:

1. the speakers you are using (including the space they are operating in). I regard this as one consideration;
2. your budget;
3. music you listen to.

As a general proposition, the Willsenton R8. which is less than $900 US, plus shipping, is a wonderful amp. I can tell you that from personal experience. 

That said, it will all depend upon those three factors referred to above. 

Enjoy the hobby, as its all about enjoying the experience and not stressing over the minutia. 5k for some is a lot of money and as I said, you don’t need to spend anywhere near that kind of money. 

Regards

Hegel

To follow up on my Van Alstine issue.  This was over 20 years ago.  I had a Model 2 SS amp.  Absolutely loved the sound, it was beautiful.  Had an issue, called Van Alstine for help.  Was told that I might as well trash it.  They had no schematics (that they would share or had lost) and would not work on it.  This is not an issue with a "quality" company.  You can call McIntosh or Audio Research and many others with some of the first stuff they made and they will address it and take care of it at an expected expense.  Yes, it still bothers me and really pisses me off.  It was a wonderful sounding piece of equipment that was put out with the trash.  I do still own a very early piece of Van Alstine's, it is a Dynaco ST-70 that Frank did years and years ago, before starting his own company.  I feel okay owning this and have even had it recapped after I had a few failing.  The schematics for a ST-70 are pretty much public domain. 

If you are going to spend the dough, go with Pass Labs or Conrad Johnson. I have both and these are wonderful amps. Service support is unrivalled.

It’s funny I saw this thread and I immediately thought there must be this guy peddling Raven Blackhawk and bam.. there it is! lol 

mhutama - I was thinking that too )))
He sure likes his Raven…

I’m going to give a shout out to Yorkshires hand built masterpiece the Sugden A21SE. 
Another slightly biased suggestion as it is mine. 

Without evens 2 nd thought ,with discounts just a bit more then $5k the Coda CSIB integrated amp  many people don’t know
Nelson Pass was part of the same engineering crew
atThreshold audio ,but a great integrated amp go to stereotimes for the latest model ,review and 3 power options for the same price ad for sure  biggest transformer 3 kva and potted for even lower noise and  many other things you won’t get .it competes well at anything even at$10 k it’s retail $6500  Audio Archon I got mine 
And bought his line of cables which are a bargain.

Marantz pm11s3. The parasound Hint is good too

Naim Supernait 3 is the best I’ve heard under $5k.

+1 for Lejonklou Boazu

Well I am going back her a bit but for an integrated SS amp I would say the NAD3140.... I fired one up a few months ago in my shop and everyone instantly gave it attention..

For tube I would say and old Sherwood S7700 or equivalent, that amp punches way above its price point. 

Naim Supernait 3. Fully class A preamp and headphones. Very good MM phono section. Supernait 3 has a hefty power supply to hold the music signal. The ring core transformer can draw as much as 400 VA from the mains, which is the same as 400 watts. By only using 80 watts for music delivery, you achieve a very stable operation, from a power supply that is never short of breath.

N

The Synthesis Roma 96 integrated has a built in phono stage and a quite decent DAC.  This 25 w/ch tube integrated delivers very good sound for the money.  Spend a bit more (or find used) and the Synthesis A40 is a better, and more versatile amp.  

Luxman 505uXII with Thiel CS1.5 Nice match. Hears everything. Wish it’s a tad deeper in the mids and lows. Supplement with REL T7i to make up.

Haven’t heard Raven or Leben, but Manley Stingray
 is great in my system. Using 90 db speakers in a med-small room. Detailed, natural and spacious.

Btw, just got back from a live jazz concert - Branford Marsallus - and the Stingray system sounds completely authentic. Very convincing.

I have not heard them all. I'll stick with my old tried and true YBA Integre DT. 

Haven’t heard many but of those I’ve done serious seat-time with, these are the ones I believe are worth every cent!

McIntosh MA5200
Musical Fidelity M6si
Simaudio Moon NEO 340 IX
Luxman (can't remember model number but competitor to the MAC MA5200, at the time, around 4 or 5 years ago  and might have been a bit more than 5 grand. In A/B between 2 and 3 hours with Focal Aria 936 + Rega P3 with Ortofon Blue + Rega Apollo CD, the MAC & this Luxman were virtually indistinguishable from each other.)

Nice thread, lots of good suggestions here. For a super integrated the Devialet Expert Pro 140 (or 220 used) is amazing. Network streamer, DAC, phono stage, pre and power amp, will drive darn near anything. Roon ready. Amazing pristine SQ. I replaced a stack of separates, ARC pre, Hugo 2 DAC, Quicksilver monos, Pass amp, thousands in cables, blah blah blah, with one sleek device and couldn’t be happier.
Check out the S’phile and Tone reviews. 

I really love my McIntosh MA252. I got it for $3500 or so if I recall. Sounds way better than my old Hegel.

sorry, I didn't read the whole thing but your question is too vague.

Balanced or SE or does it matter?

and the most important... how much power do you need?

I use an Antelope Zodiac DAC that has analog inputs and the headphone output has plenty of power to drive my Avantgarde horns. It is awesome but for most people it is a non starter with the low power output, but goes straight to my initial point, your ask is way to vague to get any meaningful answers.

Recently heard an Octave Audio, V40 tube integrated at a shop just outside Boston while the OA rep was there. Going back to to hear it again as I can't get it out of my head. I've got some pretty solid gear but this amp was super rich, powerful and dynamic with a big vintage set of Snell A. Might have been the speakers but have a sneaky feeling it was the amp. Have heard them a ton of times & really like them for what they are but NEVER have they sounded like this. Just my opinion

What about Moon?  Anyone with experience with Moon?

Plinius - used if you can find one - saw mine (older model 8200Mk II) for <$2K - US distribution has suffered in recent years. New lists for $8000 - 200 W/C, saw a new one on eBay for $6500. I you just want to get an amp and forget about it, this is the one. If you are a hobbyist and like to roll tubes or constantly have upgradeitis, this is not for you.  Fantastic sound, plenty of power, and bulletproof.

Come and hear the LTA Z10. I think its a great option for <5k

Mat
www.jjaudiosolutions.com

i had a Musical Fidelity M6i.... loved it

All under 5K

Depending on your taste Cary  tube SLI-80 Cary or SS SI-300.2D

Hybrid Vincent

Modwright KWI 200, If you want powerful smooth, easy on the ears.  Used with Maggie .7 in my office 

@larry5829 Moon by Simaudio are excellent products. If you can find an i7 buy it, you won’t be sorry.

The best that I have owned and/ or heard at home is the Pass Labs Int 150.

Interesting question in that I am presently looking for a new integrated in the $3k range (now probably the $5k range after various demos). SS likely due to the heat though I did listen to some tubes just for curiousity, Listened to a variety of products but the ones that stood out were 3 Belles amps...Aria, Signature and their top of the line which was excellent but out of my range at $7k.  The $2300 "entry level" Aria was superior to the Marantz PM 8005 I have now which is a nice but entry level unit. The Sig was definitely worth the incremental $2k step up. I also listened to the Rogue CM3... nice but not really distinctive as a tube amp. Listened to various Rega units from Io up the line and was very surprised how good they sounded....Still thinking about that line. Also, various Hegel amps which were good but to my ears maybe a little dark. Liked the McIntosh integrateds 5200 and another but not as much as I thought I would and vs their prices. Very curious about Luxman and Pass and hoping to get back to US to listen to those then make a decision. Biggest takeaway I had was that there are MANY really good integrateds these days and likely no "Best". It is likely a combination of sound, features, warranty, looks and availability that will do it for me and there could easily be a couple that fill the bill. 

I’d have to say that for me (I’ve been an audiophile since the mid-1960s) it has been the Yamaha A-S801BL unit that I’m currently using. I especially like the chassis layout, the single subwoofer out jack and the access to the internal DAC features that let me hookup a Sony UBP-X800M2 Blu-Ray player that does not have an internal DAC and play SACD discs, and FLAC files that I can stream off my home network. If plays back nicely through a pair of KEF Q750 towers. The overall sound is sweet and accurate. Fell in love with Yamaha when I was a live audio mix engineer for several bands and started using the Yamaha PM-1000 console at live gigs. It blew the doors off my old Soundcraft Limited Edition 24x4 console.

Cayin tube amps....what model funny there all good...

Under $5,000 the no longer made Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 300 was the best integrated I ever heard or owned. The serviceability became an issue so I moved on. Now I think the Aesthetix Mimas is the best I ever heard but it’s outside the $5K price point. Under $5K today I would pick the Belles Aria Signature.

LTA Z10 (or Z40 if you are lucky to find a used one)

You’ve got to be nuts if you think you’ve got to spend $5k on an integrated simply to get great sound. There’s nothing worse in this hobby than throwing money at products. I spent $1300 on a new KT88 integrated that also does EL34 tubes and could not be happier. $1300. Welcome to sanity!

integrated, that i have had personally, under 5 grand - would be a hegel h390 (using an outboard dac)

I believe the H390 is very close to $6k.

@coltrane what integrated did you get?