Integrated suggestions

Funny you should mention Octave as I currently own one of their amps & have owned 2 others in the past! As I'm familiar with the performance of this amp I think a regression within the line would be more noticeable than other manufacturers...if that makes sense!

Ha.  I was a quantitative analyst/market strategist on Wall Street and did quite a bit of multiple regression analysis so yes, it makes perfect sense to me.  Just make sure you account for autocorrelation and heteroscedasticity 😉.  Seriously though, what Octave amps have you had and what do you think of them, and what did you end up replacing them with and why?  They’ve always been high on my radar so I’m very interested in your thoughts, impressions, and comparisons if you’re willing to share.

@mboldda1  UK

The Gato & Audio Hungary look interesting. I'm aware of both brands but know little about them.

Russ Andrews offer an upgrade service to the M6si so considering its low cost on the used market it's a tempting option. 

@soix  Funny you should mention Octave as I currently own one of their amps & have owned 2 others in the past! As I'm familiar with the performance of this amp I think a regression within the line would be more noticeable than other manufacturers...if that makes sense!

Decware is too expensive with the options I need & that VAC would require a voltage change...plus there's no balanced input. 

Thanks all so far.

VAC Avatar may meet you needs 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649922709-vac-avatar-super-third-and-final-version-excellent-integrated-80w-kt88-tube-amp/

soix are nice recommendations, I owned the Octave and then Audio Hungary 20 watt class a amp both were very nice. Only reason I let Audio Hungary go was their US audio repair center was closing down and I would have to ship it to Hungary there and back at my expense if repairs were needed. It may be different now. I settled on Conrad Johnson CAV 45 S2 running it with Mullard xf2 tubes which make a fairly large improvement over some of other new production and NOS power tubes I tried. There is a lot of fairly nice 4 to $5000 intergraded amps out there it can get a little confusing, good luck in your search.

@infection where are you located.

This may have gone up in price to 6-7K and is not tube, but sounds extremely smooth. The KRELL K-300i (new XD model)

I own the Musical Fidelity M-6Si integrated amp. I am VERY surprised it sounds this good.

The Musical Fidelity M6si offers excellent performance, facilities, and power. As per the Musical Fidelity web site “Internally, the M6si is configured as 2 independent monobloc power amps with a separate preamp. It is, in fact, a preamp with 2 monobloc power amps that just happen to share the same casework. The M6si has 220wpc. It has very low distortion, outstanding noise ratio and extremely flat frequency response”. I am very happy with my Musical Fidelity M-6Si integrated amp since this amplifier deliveries the sound quality I am looking for.

Musical Fidelity M6Si amp link:

M6si In Brief

• 220WPC
• Excellent technical performance
• Amazing load driving ability, unconditional stability will drive any loudspeaker
• Wide range of useful inputs including asynchronous USB and switchable MM / MC Phono
• Preamp output
• Internally it is a separate preamp with two independent monobloc power amps; effectively a separates system in a box
• Excellent, hunky build quality
• One XLR Balanced in line

If you prefer a more neutral sound this Octave V40SE is very highly regarded and well worth a look…

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/257-octave-audio-v-40-se-integrated-amplifier#:~:text=For%20those%20in%20pursuit%20of,V%2040%20SE%20highly%20enough.&text=Price%3A%20%244900%20USD.
 

If you’re looking for maybe a little more tube goodness and are open to buying used I think this Audio Hungary X200 could also be great, and I believe the seller offers an in-home trial period that’s really great to have…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225597593896

Hope this helps, and best of luck.

Decware ZMA for tubed although slightly above your budget. 2 yr wait but i know where to find one on the secondary market.

Kinki Studio EX-M1+ for SS.  I have this amp and it is the closest to tube sound I've heard.

Jerry

The one integrated in that price range that I find interesting is the Gato Audio Amp 150.  I have no personal experience.  The reviews have been positive and the sonic trait’s described in the reviews align with my values of reproduction.