Help with picking new integrated for under 3k

@robelvick Thanks for the response. And yes it's the older one with the optical out. I was considering upgrading/updating to a Blue Node or something like that at some point, so that's why I'm still considering the Musical Fidelity.

And I hear your point on the phono preamp. I was wondering what opinions on that would be. I've been reading that the phono preamp on the Musical Fidelity is quite nice, but perhaps not as nice as what I have, something more to consider.

And yes the Hegel would be my choice if I can talk the seller down closer to my budget and thanks for those other recommendations, I'll take a look.

I have a fairly tricky and large listening room so tend to play/listen loud.

@goheelz thanks for the response, appreciate it. I should have mentioned in my first post that I am taking the cambridge out to put in my second system. I like the Rotel a good amount but think that it would be outclassed with the kind of upgrade I want so was going to bargain list it on craigslist. 

The more I've been researching the more I think integrated is the right call for me as I want to be able to forgot about upgrading for a few years. It seems that some of the newer integrated amps offer a lot of options and some really nice sound, and are easier on the wallet. But I am interested in hearing your thoughts now that you know the cambridge is out of the equation. Also open to hearing some McIntosh or other used amp/preamp combo recommendations. If I could get a used amp and pre that meets or exceeds any of my above mentioned integrated options, I'm listening :-) 

@soix thanks for the advice. I'll take a look at the H300.

First off thanks for all the feedback thus far. I wanted to generally respond about what sound I’m looking for. Although I haven’t heard any of these models I have heard each of the brands so I have a decent understanding of what sonic signature to expect. I’m hoping to get some feedback from folks who own or have heard any of these models as well as similar products that come with recommendations. I know different amps have different sounds but also two people can like the same amp for different reasons so looking to hear more about others’ experiences and recommendations for my price range. Again, thanks for all the responses so far, very helpful! 

First off just want to extend great thanks to everyone who has chimed in. A lot to research and a lot to think about. This is what I was hoping for in posting - a bunch of different suggestions and perspectives, so again, greatly appreciate it!

To answer @tlinkie there's nothing I strongly dislike about the Cambridge per se. It's a wonderful amp, an exceptional value, and I've enjoyed it for 2 or so years. As mentioned earlier I am wanting to move it to a second smaller system which is part of the reason I'm in the market.

If I had to say what I wish the cambridge improved upon in my current setup it would be a wider sound stage with stronger placement, better articulation, a little less bright, and some more heft behind the sound overall. I think I can best describe it as sounding a bit thin and not so sure footed with instrument placement on tricky tracks. I think it works wonderfully for most classic era jazz but if I put on an album like Herbie Hancock Headhunters it leaves me a bit underwhelmed. The strong, very present bass throughout gets a little flabby and lost and it struggles sometimes with the treble being overly harsh. When listening to MFSL Miles Davis' Someday My Prince Will Come last night, although I was pleased and engaged with what I was hearing I couldn't help but want the music to reach me more. And by reach I mean in the actual physical sense, the notes seem to fall short quickly and space between is lacking. Anyways, wrote this quickly and hopefully that makes some sense! 

Thanks again everyone!

@kairosman the Kinki EX M1+ looks very interesting it had not been on my radar. Thumbing through some reviews it seems to be described, sonically, similar to many of the reviews I've read of the Hegel H3600, but perhaps with a bit more fanfare.

Out of plain curiosity has anyone here listened to both the Kinki EX-M1 and the Hegel H3600? I know the Hegel has a built in DAC and the Kinki-EX-M1 doesn't, but the difference in price could make up for that. Would be interested to hear if anyone has listened to both and could report.

@gratefuleric I had actually looked at the Peachtree Nova and have heard earlier iterations (iNova). There's a dealer close to me that stocks Peachtree so I might have to check out the newer offerings. I will offer that aesthetically the Peachtree design has never really been my cup of tea, but at the end of the day sound wins, beauty is only skin deep ;-) 

Hi all, thanks again for all the replies. After a lot of reading and research I’m leaning toward the kinki ex-m1+ I’ve heard nothing but good things. Does anyone in the New York City area have any idea where I could demo one? Or, for those who have ordered direct or from an online retailer (@niskymichael), is there a return policy and/or trial period? Thanks!

It’s been a while but I finally settled on an upgrade. I saw a great deal on the Rogue RP1 and figured I should just give it a shot after reading a lot of good things and having recently heard the Cronus magnum and enjoying it greatly. I figured I could save a good chunk of change with this solution and down the road upgrade my power amp if I found the Rotel to underperform or not pair well with the rogue. Well, I’m very happy I went this route. I ended up being $1800 under budget and feel that the rogue greatly improved my system. Everything sounds better. The sound stage is much, and I mean much greater than what the Cambridge threw and its more relaxed and effortless while at the same time more dynamic, full, and overall involving. I’m wondering if anyone else has this preamp and what their impressions are? Really makes me want to dig deeper into rogue’s offerings. My one critical note, is that the phono stage included with the unit is not as clean, dynamic, and subtle as my phonomena ii+ I noticed less punch, more harshness, and a smaller sound stage using it. That’s not to say it didn’t sound good, just with A/B comparison to the phonomena it struggled. But for the price of the unit it offers a helluva lot and has made me very happy.