Integrated Amp Choices

Sounds like a great choice. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the sound after you receive it and it is broken in. 

ljutic - sounds sweet! 
I finally bit the bullet and went with yysantabarbara's Krell K300i.
Thanks too all that contributed here and made recommendations.
It was a lot of fun learning about so many integrated amps and getting to know a bit about all your systems and what works good for you!

I am running the m33 with revel f228.  Running cardas golden cross speaker cables and Puritan power.  Sound is awesome.  

Thanks blooloo, what speakers are you using with the 33? Happy with the 33s DAC?

Another vote here for the M33.Had mine for several months now and it still blows me away, playing out to a pair of GoldenEar Triton Ones.
It's recently (finally!) been Roon certified and that has just made the icing on the cake for this slick and sleek all-in-one. The BlueOS is a matter of personal taste (I quite liked it - no big issues) but other's mileage may vary there - but with Roon you can by-pass that anyway..it'll love your Roon Nucleus...especially if used with ethernet.

docmrmike - another congratulatory first post! You guys are great!
Also, he got his Krell K300i at $5k and I don't even need the DAC. Hopefully patience will be a virtue here?

tom8999 - Thanks, I'm kind of thinking this is the direction I'm heading.
 A K300i in silver with no DAC at demo price...anybody listening?

High amp- here is my two cents - I have been running a Krell K300i in my main system for over a year now - the integrated sounds amazing and pushes my Maggie 1.7i with no issues - will handle your speakers without a problem. I have used Krell integrated amps for over twenty years - they all ran / run great, and when service was needed - Krell was always there to back up the product. My Krell K300 i does not have the internal DAC - for streaming I use LUMIN.

hope this helps - Happy Listening!

anotherbob - that M33 has got some pretty rave reviews, but I'm not sure if I am completely ready for a all-in-one box solution. It was even tough for me to go to an integrated amp (ex CSiB). That's why I am quizzing everybody's use of the onboard DACs that come with some of these amps. Maybe if they are upgradeable, that's OK. 
My last music server was just a simple Roon Nucleus, hooked up via USB to my DAC and that's it. I could stream Tidal, search Roon for any music I so desired and could store my ripped CD's on an internal hard drive, al for $1,300. Worked flawlessly, but yes, it didn't have that slick display of the M33.

I forgot to mention, I have the NAD M33 and it’s been flawless in streaming Qobuz and the sound is just right through my Monitor Audio Gold 100 speakers in my small bedroom setup.  No doubt with 200 watts @ 8 ohms it will fill a good size room, too.

ja_kub_sz - I am honored, your first post, welcome!
I will definitely check out the Anthem (if I can find one around here?)
Years ago, I had a McIntosh MA6600, it was good, but not as musical as my Coda CSIB, but if looks could kill...
And, yes of course, pictures will go up for sure, maybe be a while though. Still awaiting permits for my remodel and with Covid, everything County related is going at a snail's pace.

I'm super impressed with that Anthem STR after reading about it.

So the KEF's sounded that good (not surprised).

A close second  would be the 5300 as I always have a soft spot for McIntosh amps.

Post picture once you get everything!

anotherbob - boy, another great suggestion!
Boy, they are really starting to pile up! 

NAD M33 right at the $5k price point and has and does everything you want, and more.  Amazing new tech amp, zero distortion or coloration.  Check the reviews!

2channel8 - thanks, Primare is great stuff, I once had their stand alone DAC, great build quality. I will check out the I35, but pretty sure no one locally carry’s it.

I understand your reservations about Class D and I also understand that you were not looking for more suggestions, but only for the observations of those who have listened to the particular pairings the you listed, @hi-amp. But in case you might find it useful and you can find one in your area to audition I am going to throw the Primare I35 out there as something you may consider.

https://primare.net/product/i35-dac-modular-integrated-amplfiier-and-digital-to-analog-converter/

As you can see it has a DAC and you can also add a streamer module. It is also within your budget. I have the I32 and love it. I hope to upgrade sometime. The advantage of these is that they are not at all picky about the speakers they drive, so matching is much less of an issue. Whatever you decide, I hope you are overjoyed with the result.

You might want to listen to the ARC integrated. Maybe not to buy this pass, but the The sound of that Amp, if you like it may set you in a different direction. I have migrated towards ARC and up their line-up over the last 50 years, until now all my equipment is ARC REF.

arcam88 - 👍

docmrmike - excellent advice  thanks so much for contributing! 

I have a Krell K-300i 4K which I bought as a demo ($5K) paired with Kef R300 speakers along with 2 Rel subs & to my ears the sound is truly "fantastic". I also have the Kef R700's which is the generation before the R11's. The combination of Krell & Kef sounds really sweet. The DAC on the Krell is really good for an integrated amp. You can hook it up directly to a desktop or laptop & being Roon Ready the computer will recognize the Krell on Spotify & 1 click to select it & you are ready to go. Music from the computer sounds really good, similar to CD quality. I think you could enjoy many years of high quality music using the DAC in the Krell. You can also use the Krell in place of the TV speakers by running a hi-def HDMI cable from the Krell to the eArc input on the TV. The broadcast sound is really good & it often sounds like a multitude of channels is being delivered & played from just 2 speakers. I also have a McIntosh MX160 11 channel home theater system & in all honesty the Krell sounds much better for music than the MAC. Finally, over time you can consider adding 1 or 2 Rel subs as you can hook them up via the Hi-level inputs on the subs. This will further enhance the musicality & soundstage of the entire system. Overall, I really like & enjoy the Krell & highly recommend it especially if you can find one in the 5K range where it represents excellent value. 

hi-amp -  my ATC's sound amazing! They are low sensitivity speakers (85 db) but the Anthem has no problem taking control of the drivers. Solid bass, great soundstageand and depth, Three dementional at times (with the right recording)
Also the Anthem has ARC (Anthem Room Correction) that helps a great deal to optimize the sound for your room🍻

geof3 -  pesky_wabbit, OK, thank you both.

One thing that might surprise you: at moderate listening levels the Leben is probably the more rhythmically adroit. It‘s not a soft, slow and cuddly amp at all. It sparkles with life and musical drive.

The CS600 has been replaced by the CS600X due to.the dwindling supply of the pre-splitter tubes employed. Otherwise identical. Some say different, some say outright better.

@high-amp. I saw no need to use an external DAC with Hegel. They do a very nice job.

pesky_wabbit - HA! I want both!
This one hasn't even come up yet in this discussion...Maybe Luxman can do that?

stephenm789 and all others that recommend or use Hegel integrated amps, the H390 in particular. Do you use the onboard DACs in this units or do you use an external DAC of some sort and if so, why (either way)?

 Just my 2 cents,  hegel 390 or musical fidelity m8xi,  either one is a slam dunk.

pesky_wabbit - excellent, yes, thanks!

arcam88 - How do you like those passive ATC scm 40's?
I audition the same model in actives but didn't pay a lot of attention to them when I found I needed a pre-amp to run them, not to mention their almost twice the price of the passives. This (passive) is another speaker that is very difficult to hear around this neck of the woods. I see Music Direct carries them...

I also own an ARC VSi60 as well ass the Leben. Both highly recommended, but very different amps. The ARC is noticeably more powerful, and quite a beast in terms of grunt for its rated output. Typical ARC sound - incredibly accurate, very clear and open, almost solid state, but with a bit of added tube ‘bloom‘. Great all round performer.

The Leben compensates for its lower power with a greater degree of finesse, and sheer musicality (probably the best commercial amp I have heard in that respect). Can still rock it out with efficient speakers. Hope this helps.

@ high-amp  I got lucky! I have a local dealer. Alamo Electronics.  (Just outside Cincinnati Oh.)

I'm a big fan of Simaudio - I bought one of their DACs - and given the performance for dollar any other component they earned consideration.

arcam88 - definitely a good short lister, lots of good press, but hard to find one to have a listen.

Love My Anthem STR!
It pushes my ATC scm 40's quite well.🍻
Great sounding/looking amp.
Built like tank and great customer service! , which seems to be extremely rare these days.

big_greg, rockysantoro - As far as honorable mentions, Simaudio is clearly the front runner here so far.

Haven’t given ARC much thought, but with there one and only vsi75 (tube) integrated coming in at $9,500 I think I'll have to pass, thanks

I stopped looking after I got my Simaudio 600i.  No DAC though.  I have an older Audi Research integrated (the Vsi55) that I'm listening to with my KEF Ref 1's right now and it's also a great sounding piece.  "Only" 55 watts per channel, but it plays louder than I can take in my home office.  No DAC either.  With your budget you could go higher up the ARC line.  Not sure if anyone has mentioned Line Magnetic.  Fantastic sounding gear.

I'm with chicagoblue, you can't go wrong with Simaudio.I have never been disapointed with any Simaudio product.

jbuhl - cool set-up thanks. I have not heard a class D amp and it seems most local dealers don't carry much in the way of class D either. A lot of times they they get a bad rap, but until I here one myself I'll reserve judgment. 

I need a bit more power to drive my potential speakers (KEF RIIs) so maybe the L-507uXII. I know, it's not class A though...

Not trying to drive you away from integrated but this would make a tidy setup if you are open to class D. Budgets little over $5k. They take trade in for current models and have a in home demo program. Excellent support as well. I ran one of their S300 amps for about 3 years and it never missed a beat. Fronted it with a tube pre and liked the comdo very much. PS Audio gave me good $$ for an older Rotel amp and it made the purchase a no brainer.

Pre with DAC:https://www.psaudio.com/products/gaincell-dac/

Amps:https://www.psaudio.com/products/stellar-m700-power-amplifier/
I May try the S1200 if I ever get the $$$

Look at the luxman 550ax2 instead of 505... A vs AB bit more warmth and I find voices nicer if you listen to more acoustic stuff 

I have the Luxman 505UXII. It is amazing! I am driving Fyne Audio F502SPs with ease and control. The Phono section alone is worth it and probably cannot be beat for less than $1200. It has HT Bypass, Tone controls and Loudness if desired (I don't touch them) and lots of other features.
Highly recommend the Luxman.

Lots of great suggestions, Eric, where are you?

I'd choose either the Luxman or the McIntosh. 

@high-amp I forgot to add this in my statements about the BM stack.

If the pure BM stack is too revealing (what I use) and some warmth is wanted. Try the CODA 07x preamp. The 07x preamp and the AHB2 are incredible together (I also have this pairing). I prefer the HPA4 + AHB2 combo but I think most would like the 07x + AHB2 more. 

I sold an extra  AHB2 I had to someone last month. I think I lost $50 on that sale. The buyer hated it put it up for sale in 3 days.  The BM is not for everyone, especially if you want some color.

Here is Benchmarks description of their gear vs others.
How Should I Buy an Audio System? - Benchmark Media Systems

Listenup has a store demo of a Hegel 190

https://listenup.com/hegel-h190-integrated-amplifier-black-clearance-open-box.html
Do a $1.5K DAC and you are right on Budget.  But the 190 proly has on board DAC.

jbuhl - great info, thanks. 

This seems to be an ever evolving post with more & more recommendation coming by the minute. So, I thought I'd through another line in the mix, one that seems to get little discussion here.
How about a Benchmark stack?  Benchmark Media Systems, Inc.
Seem to have reasonable prices on both hardware and cables.