Better Integrated Amp?

I second Yamaha 501, or higher model if you can. I have been very familiar with it. It is an excellent amplifier. I cannot say how it compares to others listed, but it is a good machine.  A pair of Monitor Audio speakers to match and you are good to go.

Mikem: I agree with the importance volume control is. Names withheld, but I've had amps where the volume on the remote won't move when you hit the +, then goes up fast. Another problem is to see the volume knob if it only has a small white dot on it. 
Recently bought a Hegel H390. The display numbers of the level are clear without glasses at 8' back, and I need them over 6'. 

I would focus on auditioning speakers 1st, and consider the amps that are paired with them during audition. 

What budget are you considering for speakers? 

This Yamaha A-S501 is worth looking into. It has all the features that you will ever need!
https://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio_visual/hifi_components/a-s501/index.html

Get the most powerful one you can afford.
https://www.exposurehifi.com/products.html

Speakers depend a lot on listening preference, both volume and program. Also size/style desired. And of course budget.
For that TT the AT VM540ML is a match made in value heaven.

Has it been established that you are in the UK???

You didn't state a budget for speakers but I like the Vandersteen VLR Wood ($1495 USD). I have also heard it with the Proac D2 and Tablette's and both sounded really good. Being in the UK they might be easier to demo. The best sound I heard with it was the Vandersteen VLR CT but it's a bit pricey at $3100 US. If you have a local Rega dealer I would suggest that you go have a listen and see what the dealer recommends.

I am currently using it with Tannoy M1 bookshelf speakers. They are small and I have had them for 16 years. Maybe some current Tannoy's would be a good fit.

Good Luck!

Audiogon has a couple of NAD amps in this price range I'd recommend.

This on in particular:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa5fhb-nad-c-328-hybrid-digital-dac-integrated-amplifier-solid-s...

The unusual hybrid Class D amplifier does not get enough credit and sounds far better to my ears than a lot of others. 

If you can swing $800 I'd also recommend a listed Arcam.

Best,

Erik

For speakers to match with the Rega, you might want to look at something like the Triangle BR03. It has 90db sensitivity and a 8 ohm nominal impedance. Should be pretty easy to drive and it has received great reviews as a budget friendly bookshelf size 2 way speaker. I do not own the BR03 and have not heard it. But I did previously own the Triangle Titus speaker which had similar specs. I enjoyed then quite a bit.

A lot of you seem to agree that the Rega Io is a really good option so I'm having a look into that now. Its power output seems much lower than others at 30W at 8ohms, I'm guessing this isnt an issue given how popular it seems to be, its a similar price to the others so that is good. It seems to have a few less features then the denon but im assuming you sacrifice that for sound quality and performance which is more important. If I were to go with the Rega anyone got any good speaker recommendations? I would like to go to some shops and listen but with Covid I dont think thats happening anytime soon.

Look closer at that Rega Io.
Smaller form factor.
Newer discrete AB topology.
Award winning SQ.
Lifetime warranty.
A perfect start and you will probably have it forever in secondary systems.
I still use my starter integrated from 1970.


Just head towards reasonably flat impedance 8 ohm speakers as Rega states it runs hot (°) into 4 ohms.  Unless you LIKE electric heat.

I would pick it up for $430 new.
But that’s just me.

There really hasn’t been any major advancements in technology in the past 50 years that would make me think that whatever integrated you choose will become obsolete. You could hook up a vintage tube integrated to a streaming dac and be right up to date with modern systems. It’s really only the digital front end parts that are changing. A well built integrated can also last indefinitely with minimal service. It’s well worth either stretching your budget, or do what many of us here do and buy/sell/trade equipment as we go. It’s part of the fun. For that reason I’d recommend looking in the used market. Read reviews and check out brands like Arcam, Creek, Cyrus, Linn, Nad, Naim, Musical Fidelity, Quad, Rega, Roksan etc, all should be easy to find 2nd hand locally. Skip the Denon. It’s a good starter brand (the second amp I bought was a Denon) but many of those others I mentioned previously will get you closer to that high end sound.

Music Hall a15.3 w/ phono stage and 50 watts/ ch. @$550 new.

I can highly recommend the $599 (US) Rega Io integrated amp. The sound quality is amazing for the money. IMHO it sounds  much better than the Rega Brio that I compared it to. It only puts out 30 watts per channel so you will need to match it to appropriate speakers. I am using it with a pair of Tannoy Mercury M1's in my bedroom system but will be upgrading to the Vandersteen Wood VLR's when I can. My dealer shows it with Proac and Vandersteen speakers and the combination with the VLR's, even the $3K VLR CT's, is really good.

The unit also has a good phono stage and sounded great with the Rega P3 with an Ortofon 2M Bronze cartridge. You should check it out. Good Luck!

This UK based channel has some good advice. Here's one video but take a look at his others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EAJPpVvrpw&ab_channel=ABritishAudiophile

I agree with sfar in that it would probably be a good idea to buy the Denon from a dealer who could possibly guide you towards some appropriate speakers and whatever else you need.  Just be realistic.  You say you prefer rock/metal that is often difficult to reproduce at even moderate volumes as opposed to string quartets and the like.  Maybe a nice pair of headphones? I bet the Denon has a half decent headphone jack. 

You should check out Rega integrated amps. You should have no problem finding a dealer on your side of the pond!
https://www.rega.co.uk/products/amplifiers

At your experience level the Denon would be a good place to start and having a new piece of gear with a warranty would let you focus on other parts of the system. Even the less expensive Denon 600E might be an excellent option since it has built-in Bluetooth that would let you easily sample new music using Spotify or another streaming service and its lower price would leave you more to spend on speakers which, in my opinion, would have more of a positive impact on the quality of reproduction.

Set up wise the turntable is a pro-ject debut carbon evo but I have not got a speaker yet, I thought i would try and figure out what amp to get before figuring out what speaker to pair it with.
Budget wise I'm in the UK and i can get the Denon for £350 which seemed reasonable for how its reviews look, the Vena is £700 but is more like £450 second hand. So thats a rough idea of my price range wouldnt want to go any higher than that unless I really have to.
This is also my first set up so I can always upgrade parts later down the line.
Music will mostly be Indie/Rock/Metal but a bit of other stuff as well, the room isn't massive so it wont need to be incredibly loud. Say this is my first set up so I'm learning a lot here thanks

What is the rest of your system? 

Considerations:
   Budget
   Speaker sensitivity and impedance.
   Room size.
   Loudness levels.
   Use of digital as well as vinyl.

You really should list your speakers and what type of music you play, but honestly, shopping in the $600 price range doesn’t leave you much room. The Denon integrated has been well reviewed, so maybe that’s your best option. There’s nothing wrong with the less expensive integrateds. I have an Onkyo A-9150 that was about $500 that is very nice and includes a phono stage and a DAC which is not horrible. Buy what you can afford and listen to some music. We all need to start someplace. All this said - sometimes we set a price point in our heads that is just not realistic. If you really don’t have the money that’s one thing, but sometimes we just get an idea of what we think we want to spend and it takes some time to get over the sticker shock of what the stuff we want actually costs. It’s all part of the process.

The most important part of an integrated is how the volume control is implemented..  You can have the best electronics, etc.. but many manufacturers then use a cheap $5 pot for a volume control.. 
Be sure to understand what you’re getting in the way of a volume control.. it makes a huge difference..