Go ARCAM A-85 for your budget. My conclusion after trying out just so many integrateds out there.
They sold hundreds of the ARCAM A-85, yet they remain somewhat scarce. And to my surprise, THERE ARE TWO OF THEM FOR SALE NOW ON A'GON ! ( It took me months to find mine). I have gone tubesville since, but let me tell you, the A-85 is an amazing integrated for the money, and probably the best Arcam has done so far, beating the A-90 and the much pricier A32 in my humble opinion. The A-90 is not a bettered version, it has a different sonic signature, dry and less involving, like the A32. The A85 is detailled yet warm at the same time. Check the Reviewers Choice Award form Soundstage. OK so it's a bit dated, but the sound described is still the same.
If you can find one, go contrary to all usual buying logic. Buy it first ! then listen to it ! If you don't like it, you will sell it in a jiffy. Along the way however, you will have a lot of fun ''tuning in '' your sound with the smart microprocessor tone controls. Very powerfull too, and subjectively more transparent than a Moon I-5 for less money (no big feat I admit). You may even put off getting that new interconnect by getting some extra zip with a couple of notches to the left or right of the tone control...For under a grand, I cannot think of a better buy in a solid state machine.
