Integrated SET...

I'm going to give a thumbs up to Triode Lab and Frank. I have a set of 97db efficient speakers and recently purchased the 2A3 EVO integrated amp. I am absolutely floored at what I am hearing, every detail to the song, authoritative bass and airy highs and all this is combined with a absolutely well defined soundstage. I have had it for about 6 weeks to 2 months now, listen for about 2 hours every night and as I said am floored at what I am hearing.

Nice thing is that when working with Frank it starts with your associated equipment, then the music you like and he designs around that.

Good luck in your search.

Definitely narrow your search to those amps that are point to point wired.

Circuit boards do not hold up well to the heat from tubes.

An especially avoid those amps where tube sockets are directly mounted onto a circuit board.

You will thank me later!

I've heard good things about this integrated...

https://trueaudiophile.com/audion-silver-night-2a3-set-anniversary-stereo-hard-wired-amplifier/

I have two integrated SETs, an Elekit with the Lundhal transformers and a Sophia MC-300A driving AG Trios.  Both are excellent, musical amplifiers. You can get a superb sounding SET for about half of what you have available to spend.  The Elekit sells for about $2500 and the Sophia about $3000 on the used market.

Thanks everyone! I think there's some real options in this string.

I do want to stay with an integrated that does have a remote, at least for volume. I have no problem turning it on when I want to listen and change the input manually, but volume is really convenient (and an absolute demand from the wife)

Cary 300SEI is a great choice. 

Line Magnetic has a couple of good options as well (845ia, 805ia).  845Premium as well, but it's a bit above your budget.

Triode labs is the best choice Frank will not give you remote control but the sound is phenomenal it is integrated the ffx model

I misspoke - the A20i is push/pull..

@audiojan

Coincident is interesting but I don’t believe they make an integrated amp…

Their 300b Frankensteins offer no integrated amplifier version. Their Dynamo integrated amplifier is available either as an el34 SEP or Higher cost 300b SET.
Charles

Electrokit? 

I love the Audio Hungary Qualiton A20i $5500 and the Audion KT120 $5346

both superb - although with limited inputs :)

My Willsenton R300 had a board fail on it just when I was demoing it to sell to a guy who drove quite a way to see it....not a fun experience for either of us. Completely stopped making sound. As it is a new model maybe give the designers some time to work out any weak points in the circuit before considering buying one. And while it is warm and organic sounding it is not anywhere close to resolving like higher cost amps.

Anyone with $5k to spend should move on from Chifi. I am a bit of an Icon Audio fan right now. I have the Stereo 300 mkII (300B) and also the Stereo 40 mkIV (KT88). The selling point of these amps are the transformers which are fantastic. Very resolving. But you need to do the Mudorf capacitor upgrade to go to the next level with them. I did it myself but the factory and some dealers also offer it. They also have a KT150 single ended but I have not heard that one....

https://iconaudio.com/stereo-30-se-single-ended-integrated-amplifier-stereo-30se

Anyway I have not heard anything sound better than these two amps with the Mundorf cap upgrade. And while the 300B is very natural, wide, and deep sounding the Stereo 40 has the punch and resolution to be the first choice if only owning one amp.

Coincident is interesting but I don’t believe they make an integrated amp… I’d rather not add a pre-amp, more power cords, another set of cables etc 

Don't overlook the Willsenton R300B integrated.  I have it and like it very much.  It's not just good for the price.  It's really good.

+2 Coincident amps

Mike

I really like the sound and quality coming out of Triode labs / Finale Audio out of Toronto. I've used their 300b amps and 2A3 amps and both were stunning. Personally i like the 2A3 amp better on my horns but both are stellar ( tube dependent i think NOS vs New). Not sure what they offer in an integrated though right now but worth looking at. Remote may be an issue as they don't seem to like them. 

Coincident is another one i recommend.  

There's so many out there now to choose from now so wait for all the recommendations. 

then there is the Chinese tube amps that seem to het good reviews. 

another one that has peeked my interest: ThomasAndStereo (galion-audio.com)