Integrated brand choice -- Simaudio, Hegel or Mark Levinson?

David Belles has a new integrated amp coming out soon, the Virtuoso (200wpc into 8 ohms). He's getting ready to retire, from what I've heard, and this is supposed to be his swan song. A little over $6000. Might be worth checking out.

Some good suggestions above. My concern is that you may be buying 
in the wrong order if a speaker upgrade is in the offing. Proper synergy
between the amp/speakers is key to good sound. As speakers impact
sound much more than power, I would shop the speaker first.

I agree with freediver and mickeyb. I have tested hegel H390, H590, Mark Levinson 8505 and many others manufacturers. Hegel sounds like no soul and mark levinson is thin and laid back sound. Accuphase E-450 or E-470 are very musical and to bright side. You can read my test. Bryston 4B3 was very positive supprise. A lot of body and musical. I ended up to accuphase E-450 and PS Audio DirectStream as DAC. 

Are you sorry you asked? Lots of preaching about the mortal sins of various brands.  I will only say that I have a Hegel 390 driving a pair of ATC SM40’s and I could not be happier.  Very authoritative and soulful, IMO.  I auditioned both a class A and a class A/B Luxman, and a Naim Supernait 3 before I landed in the 390.  For my ears, in my system, in my room, the Hegel moved me in ways the others didn’t.  We all need to remember that this pursuit of ours is incredibly personal.  Buy the one that your gut tells you to and don’t look back!

That is true. Only what i want to add is you have to listen in your home first There is no short cut if you want to find best unit for yours system.