Integrated Amplifier balanced

All my music is on my computer (FLAC). I am looking at the Slim Transporter as my DAC. This is my entire chain! I need to get an amp and speakers.

I need one pair of balanced inputs. If the amp has a pre-amp balanced out, I might hook-up a headphone amp (Headroom) unless the amp supports headphone output.

Thanks for your help.

The budget is just for the integrated.

I have no intention of buying and selling! This is a long-term purchase and that was the reason why I am asking the experts!!

I called Mark Levinson and understand that they stopped making No.383 - I am not sure why. Is it a good idea to buy an amp that the manufacturer isn't interested in selling?

I heard good things about the Transporter - this is the first time I heard someone say that it is not a good DAC. The alternatives would be Benchmark DAC (same price range). I haven't looked at Bel Canto yet. I can get an optical-out from Squeezebox comes with a Optical Out so that is not a big issue.

YBA retail is $4650. I hope PS Audio is dual-voltage. I will check with them.

Sorry for any confusion. I am open to buying new or old, under $3,000 for just the integrated amp. Only, I am not going to resell it and buy another repeatedly. I don't have the expertise/time/inclination for that. Thanks to forums like this I am learning a lot but I am also more confused!

I know that the quality of sound depends on (a) the entire system/chain and (b) my ear. I cannot get to (b) unless I visit the dealers and before I do that I wanted to come up with a shortlist. For eg. Plinius/YBA are not represented in my area and I might have to travel.

I thought I simplified (a) when I decided that my entire chain consists of:

Computer/NAS->Transporter->IntegratedAmp->Speakers

It cannot get any simpler than that (except for the boombox). No matching preamp/amp, no Cd/phono players etc. I decided on solid-state because I have no idea about tube-rolling/matching.

Speakers didn't seem that difficult because my budget limits me to about $2k so I was looking at Klipsch/Usher/Wharfedale floorstanding models, all of them are <90dB sensitivity. But that is a question for another thread.

As I investigate integrated amps I realize this isn't going to be an easy process in spite of the constraints I imposed. I don't see a consensus and perhaps I shouldn't expect it.

I checked Plinius' site and realized that they have a "new" model now. Ditto with Rowland. I don't think audio is like computer chips (until recently chip technology was evolving rapidly). This is a mature field and if the manufacturer thinks they can come up with significant improvements every two or three years, does it mean there is something wrong with the previous models? I don't understand the cars analogy - I don't think the 2000 Camry is significantly different from the 2009 Camry.

I checked out the reviews in the magazines but I must also admit that I am somewhat disillusioned after reading Arthur Salvatore's opinions about the whole recommended components
mess. Too bad he is a tube/vinyl guy and doesn't have any recommendations for me!

I probably exposed my ignorance and annoyed some of you. I only insist that I mean no offense to any of you - you tried to help me and I thank you for your time.