Best Integrated Under $3000

Here are some additional information that some have asked:

1) I would like to stay with a Solid State

2) I realize there are alot of threads on this topic but still none clearly answer which is a good choice and there is very little about Atoll

3) I have an ecclectic taste in music anything from 50's-60's, to 80's rock, to old and new country, some classical, a little jazz, and some easy listening.

4) The room is about 15x14 with 10 foot ceilings, hardwood floors, with a corner fireplace.

5) I am not sure what my audio preferences are. I know I want something that is more neutral than bright or with a huge amount of bass. I want something that will make the Kirksaeters sound their best, open the soundstage, and bring out the ability of the TT.

6) I have really narrowed down my search to the models listed in the original posting, although I am open to learning about other models.

7) My ability to trial any of these pieces in my home is impossible. I live in the middle of no where.

I am truly seeking advice from other owners of these models and their impressions on these models. Especially, thoughts from those who have auditioned these or similar models and why they chose what they did.

Okay, so at least we're getting narrowed down. About the TT: does that mean you need an internal phono stage, or do you have a separate one? If you don't then that narrows down your choices a good deal, as there aren't that many very good integrated amps that have internal phono stages that are very good.

I've heard the following and liked them, but not with your speakers

Plinius 9200
YBA Passion integree
Bat VK300
Jeff Rowland Concentra or concentra II

From my understanding it is best to go with an external phono stage, so I will probably stay that route. Although, I know the phono stage can be added to the Atoll and their external stages have gotten some great reviews as has the stage made by MF.

Thanks for the help, it truly is appreciated. I realize that not many own Kirksaeter speakers but to my best I will try to describe them. They are a 3 way speaker with a metal dome tweeter but does not sound to bright. I really like them but I can see me moving up their line eventually.

Here is some info from their site:

The most important improvement to the new PRISMA is the very special midrange driver in which the cone and the surround is moulded in one piece. It’s installed and tested in its own dampened housing. Free from edge distortion, the midrange has an incrediblely clear and widely open sound. The crossover network becomes an extra filter that depresses the resonance peaks so they cannot negatively inflate the airy, widely open and soft treble sound of the silk dome tweeter. The dispersion angle 160 degrees allows you to fully enjoy all the music details wherever you are in the room. These improvements set new standards in the price classes of PRISMA.

All the PRISMA models have the same outstanding tweeter. Therefore, you can combine all models in a Home Theatre System, and sit where you like. You can even combine any PRISMA with any Silverline speaker.

Because PRISMA has a very high efficiency PRISMA draw less power from your amplifier than the most other speakers do. When electing PRISMA you should elect a model one number larger than estimated and the amplifier one number smaller than normal. Then you will have a system with the optimum value of your investment

Loudspeaker Column PRISMA 210

The high tall form gives sufficient volume for the use of two 19 cm bass drivers that fill your room with a strong, dry and analytic clean bass. The efficiency is very high and PRISMA 210 can be used with smaller amplifiers. The beautiful cabinet is available in several finishes. The MDF-front is rounded at the edges to allow a smooth beaming of the sound. The new 15 cm midrange is of such a good quality that one does not expect to find this in PRISMA 210. Ii is build into an acoustical sealed box with defined volume and damping material. The cone and the surround are made of one piece material to reduce peaks and distortion. The new silk Dome tweeter provides 160 degrees dispersion that lets you place the speaker where you like in the room. Together with the new kind of crossover it is an especially strong, brilliant and dynamic sound experience. In Norway the previous model PRISMA 200 was elected as best buy in its class.

TECNICAL DATA PRISMA 210
Type of speaker: Floorstanding column
Music peak power: 300 Watts peak to peak
Music impulse power: 210 Watts
Continuous power rating, DIN: 160 Watts
Frequency response: 26 - 22,000 Hz
Recommended amplifier: 20 - 100 Watts
Crossover Frequencies: 3-ways 500/3000 Hz, double
Impedance: 4 - 8 Ohms
Woofer, long excursion: 2x19 cm fiber coated cone
Midrange: 15 cm one piece coated cone
Tweeter: 25 mm soft metal Dome
Weight net 20 kg, 46 lbs
Width x Depth x Height in cm: 23,5 x 26,5 x 105 cm
Width x Depth x Height In inch 9,25” x 10,5” x 41,5”
Finish: Black/Mahogany/Beesh

get the tri vista. this integrated does what classic pieces do..exceed expectations.....otherwise the mac. nice speakers.

Here's a few to choose from with there approximate corresponding used prices. If you buy used at a good price then you can't loose. If you don't like it or want to try a different flavor, just sell it and buy another one.

Have fun... this isn't rocket surgery.

Jeff Rowland CONCENTRA I $3000
Red Wine audio 30.2 $2500
Jeff Rowland Concentra II $3400
Mcintosh MA6900 $2800
Mcintosh MA6500 $1700
Mark Levinson 383 $2999
Naim Nait 5 $600
Music Hall Mambo $625
Sim Audio I5 $1375
Krell KAV-500i $1900
Krell KAV-400xi $1800
Krell S300i $2100
Krell kav 300iL $1500
Plinius 9200 $2500
Plinius 8200 mkII $1600
Bryston b60r sst $900
Exposure 2010s $775
Blue Circle CS Integrated $685
Blue Circle BC-24 SS Hybrid $1000