Budget integrated amp?


Friend's amp is having issues and he asked me what was "good...for around $1000 new". Like me he is deep in the middle of the Pacific, actually deeper than me because he is on the Big Island of Hawaii, out in the desert/volcano area. I suggested the Schiit Ragnarok 2 which I have only read about but is on sale and has both good writeups and a 5 year warranty and is American made. Also, the Marantz PM6007, a few Rotel amps I read about that are on deal at Crutchfield (which ships to Hawaii free) and the Outlaw RR2160, which I have heard at another friend's. He is an older boomer like me and wants something like his old Marantz 2252B. I told him that those dont exist anymore. For those of you who might have head some of these am I giving him good ideas and have I missed anything substantive. He is not oriented to used and is on a tight budget. He is running both a CDP and an iFi streamer. Suggestions?

joekapahulu

I would definitely consider Schiit and Rotel on the basis of my experience with them on other products in their line and reviews. Get no more functions than required. If it is integrated amp, then just preamp/amp. 
 

I know this sounds superficial, but after fifty years pursuing the high end… if you get it down to two models or so, buy the heaviest one. It is likely to sound the best.

Does the Schiit Ragnarok 2 have enough inputs?

Inputs: 
(2) pairs XLR balanced inputs
(1) RCA single-ended input

Does he need an integrated DAC for his streamer?

What speakers does he need to be able to drive?