Integrated suggestions

Go for $6000 and get yourself an Accuphase 280

Please check out Primaluna. I am still thrilled with the sound after 2 years. Auto biasing, point to point hand wired, high quality components and steel case mounted tube sockets. Tough to beat in your price range.

Thank you all for your continued suggestions. Obviously used offers more value & I briefly contemplated a used Levinson 585 but my back isn't the best & I don't think I want to return to a very heavy lump.

The issue is I can't see the Octave selling anytime soon...

+1 on the Belles Aria Signature. I own and would recommend the Aesthetix Mimas which is my favorite integrated but new it's above your budget. The DAC and Phono cards are optional. The Mimas is a hybrid amp. You may be able to find a used one within your budget. Good Luck!

i think the anthem int would be perfect for you. canada made .canada money #1 in best buck for your music

Also recommend Michi 3x (paired w/ Rose 150 + Focal 1038Be) - resolving w/out fatigue.  

my Gato 150 is seemingly totally quiet. if interested in Gato, the top of the line 150 is Class AB and no DAC...the less expensive but more powerful 250 and 400 are Class D and include DAC...

@infection 

Why not AR i50? Seems right up your alley and in your wheelhouse price wise... Maybe Canor Virtus i2 40/20wpc class A. I would go with the Canor which just debuted at Munich, but 7k.

Good luck and happy Hunting

@rhljazz 

I sold my Luxman LX-380 to purchase the Gato Amp 150 AE and have zero regrets. It’s an amazing integrated with all the juice I need to run my Aerial Acoustics 7T. 

 The sound is so clean and pure. Even my wife commented when she first heard it. I have been so impressed by it. A keeper for sure. If I ever upgrade from here, it would likely be Gato’s own separates. I do not feel any need to do so at the moment though. I am beyond happy with it.

As for the previous comment by another user about fan noise, if it’s there, I’ve never heard it from my listening position. 
 

I use the HT bypass feature out from my Anthem MRX-1120 into the Gato and even my home theater sounds better with the Gato powering the front pair.

I hope this is helpful with regards to your interest in this particular unit. Too many times, as hobbyists, we are unable to find reviews, opinions or adequate feedback regarding a particular piece. Good luck in your search.

Cheers!

@rhljazz 

I sold a Luxman LX-380 tube based integrated and purchased a Gato Amp 150 AE and it amazed me at how good it sounded. I am driving a pair of Aerial Acoustic 7T’s and the pairing has been absolutely fantastic! The Luxman was OK but the Gato was next level and honestly has provided me with the best music I have ever heard in my room.

I read a comment earlier in this thread that reported fan noise. I have never heard such noise. The thing is dead quiet from my listening position.

My research also found nothing but positive feedback so I took a leap of faith and have not regretted it since. It’s a keeper. I’m a very happy camper.

Cheers and good luck in your search.

Check out a used Hegel H390.

infection

I concur, the price is a good guideline while providing more build-quality information.

Big step down $17K tube integrated to $4-5 range. Still, there are plenty of excellent contenders to discover.

Happy Listening!

paulcreed

Very nice- CJ CAV 45 S2. I am hoping that the company will build an Integrated with more Power. Sweet "control" Amp.

Happy Listening!

If you can find one used my recommendation would be a Jeff Rowland Continuun S2. I still have my tube separates which were over $30K 15 years ago but nowadays enjoy the Rowland. Very smooth and musical with lots of detail and with a very low noise floor. 

Infection,

Some models from Wilsenton, Pathos, and Prima Luna would fit your needs. However I have not personal usage in my system, so going off of reputation and specs alone

I just traded in my Esoteric F-07 for the new Michi x3, Series 2 that includes their new 8-Channel ESS SABRE ES9028PRO DAC (you can still use an external DAC).

I have had several previous integrated SS (Musical Fidelity, Rotel, McIntosh hybrid), Class D (Primare), and Tube amps (Prima Luna, Modwright, Cary) and this by far has been the best sounding paired with my B&W 805s.  The bass is so much more prevalent that I no longer use my REL sub.
 

Build solid, almost Apple like in its appearance and packaging, and seems to weigh more than its 64 lbs.  Pricing is about $5,700 which I would say is under priced compared to integrates of similar quality and specs.

"Sugden, Moonriver or Hegel depending on your room and speakers." 

As someone mentioned, the Moonriver doesn't have an XLR input.  Neither does the Sugden (at least the A21 series).  I would consider the Norma IPA140, made in Italy, to very high standards.

+1 for either the Coda CSiB or the Krell 300i.  I have had both and both are outstanding integrated amps. Which you would prefer would be personal preference.  Also has the Primaluma Evo 400 integrated, really nice but not quite the same level as the Coda or Krell.  CSiB had a great Pre using the XLR outs.  Great buy if you can find one used. 

Current owner of both Hegel H390 and 590. One is going down the road. Both are fantastic and in your price range. Short list of replacements I plan on trying include Modwright 225, LTA Z40, Jeff Rowland continum, Gato. Currently switching between Magnepan.7 and Harbeth super HL5. Really happy with what I’ve got, but still have an itch I need to scratch. 

@rmdmoore  I have the PH9.0X with Tesla tubes & silver umbilical. Fantastic phono stage & i suspect my last.

@lak Which one falls within the budget...?

Never heard of Circle Labs before. Not considered McIntosh or Accuphase. Still not sure about Hegel; has modules I don't need & as I've mentioned before they don't look appealing!

Thank you all, there are plenty of viable options. I suppose the next step is a shortlist but even then it's impossible to try all the ones of interest at home. 

Accuphase E280

IMO nothing come close in this price range 

Such a beautifully sounding integrated, and powerful enough for you

+1 on the Krell K300i (XD).   This is my integrated and it replaced my PrimaLuna HP Dialog.   I liked both, but the Krell is much better sounding in my system driving Exstatic electrostatic speakers.   It has all the input options you are looking for.   It should be in that $5-$6k range for a nice used one.

Not sure what your speakers are but Hegel has a warm sound. Plenty of power for your 4ohm speakers. I would look at the H190 in that price range. Also, you may consider the all analogue Naim NAIT XS3. Great looking slim line integrated amplifier that at 70 watts/channel of class AB is impressive . I have a pair of 4ohm Monitor Audio Gold 100 5g that sound great with both amps. Good luck on your search!

I think the Moon 340iX is quite a lot of amp for the money...it's SS amp and at the top end of your range.  

If you can give it a listen, I'd highly encourage you to audition it.

For ~$5k the Simaudio Moon 340 is an excellent integrated.  You can get the onboard DAC and phono stage, which are both very good.  For the price, it’s hard to beat.   https://simaudio.com/en/product/340i-x-integrated-amplifier/

A little over budget, but Coda CSIB might be worth a look. 

McIntosh MA 5300

Second the Modwright. Their hybrid integrated, (used), checks your boxes.

I (and a few other A'goners) have been quite happy with the (Polish) Circle Labs A200. It is a hybrid amp, but the two Siemens ECC8100 tubes last for ~10 years with normal usage, and require no biasing. You can read users' impressions here:

Circle Labs A200 

Also, a small note on the GATO Amp-150, which was recommended above. I owned one for a couple of years, and found it to be excellent. However, it features an active cooling system (i.e. a small fan), and while it was rarely needed, I did not like the added noise.

How about one of the larger Pass Lab integrated units?

I really feel like ModWright is often overlooked. Their current model pre is out of your price range, even used, but there's one of their older for sale on the other site. I've been. Extremely happy with my LS100 preamp from them. Truly boutique product, excellent build quality, and more than any of that, sounds amazing.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649960251-modwright-kwi-200-with-warranty-until-may-15th-2023/

+1 on Lab12 and Audio Hungary Qualiton, have heard both manufacturers' top integrateds (and some of their separates), excellent price/value ratio. I own a Qualiton C200 preamp which I just recently purchased for a second system, big bold soulful sound is how I'd generally characterize these manufacturers' sonic signatures. Agree however that it isn't clear what exactly the warranty repair service is like IN REALITY in North America.

The Belles virtuoso may be out of your price range, but it’s got a balanced input, and it’s 400 w per into 4 ohms. Over 16a per ch peak amps. This amp sounds amazing 

@njkrebs  Good call, I'd forgotten about Lab12. This is probably the direct competition to the X200. I'd certainly like to hear both...

I own/run an Octave V80SE integrated with a super black box. I’ve not personally heard the Lab12 Integrat4 from Greece, but it’s reviews have been stellar and it retails for about $5k. I was going to give this one a serious look for a secondary system. 

@edcyn  If you read my initial post you'll see the reason i am selling my current integrated is not because "I fancy a change..."

A friend has one of those gigantic Vincent things that sounds pretty good, and hey...it has tubes! For about what a good integrated costs you can use what I use...the well regarded Schiit Freya, an astonishingly great sounding preamp with 2 balanced inputs (and others) for your enjoyment along with other amazing features, and that thing runs to a Pass XA-25 (one of the top 5 amps anywhere for any price)...total a little over 6 grand for those, and Class A for days. More fun than an integrated including the Pass INT-25 which is 7600 bucks with 3 inputs, none balanced. Do that...be like me...come on...*sniff*...

I continue to have not the slightest inclination to trade in my Primaluna Integrated. It delivers beautiful sound. When the knobs get glitchy I open the thing up and spray Deoxit on the contact points.

@secretguy It's just a general guide. 

And you believe that price automatically tells you something?

Thanks for all the good info, and again, best of luck in finding a happy — if a little smaller — landing place with your new amp.  If you could, please let us know what you ultimately choose as I’m sure more than a few of us here are interested.

@waltersalas  Thank you!

No balanced input on the Moonriver...Hegel is interesting although they don't look very nice!

@soix  I'm currently using the V70 Class A (KT150) with the Super Black Box & Telefunken driver tubes. It's very revealing with speed & impact, plenty of midrange punch. I'm a musician so another way I would describe it is very much like an excellent tube guitar amp! 

I'll be sad to see it go but as I mentioned personal circumstances are a factor. 

I've previously owned the HP700 pre & the V110SE. Years ago I was in a position to purchase the MRE 220 but I hesitated & life moved on. I wish I had as they're way more expensive now. 

Prior to the V70 Class A purchase I considered the V80SE but really wanted full class A (V80SE is A/B) & at the time found auto bias appealing. 

If you need any more info just message.

@stringreen  yes you're right, it's a very depressing!

Don't know much about Line Magnetic apart from the name. The Belles Aria Signature seems to be a contender.

+1 on the Octave. Never owned one but I spent some time and their room at the RMAF with Dynaudio speakers and it was impressive. A modest display that sound everything but modest.

If you are open minded you might check out the Rogue Audio Pharaoh II. Tube/Hypex hybrid. Good bang for your buck gear with solid service and support, in my experience. No experience with this particular product but I have ran tube pre’s with class D amps with good success.

Also audition a Hegel Rost in my rig that was impressive.  Would considered their integrated products anytime. 

The Parasound Hint has everything you mentioned and is a Stereophile class A piece of equipment

Sugden, Moonriver or Hegel depending on your room and speakers.

I'd certainly be tempted by the Willsenton R800i, which would leave you with $1000-2000 to upgrade the tubes to your liking.

Also, maybe you could get a deal on a Synthesis A40.Virtus. I have its big brother the A100, which I prefer to any amp I've ever owned.

Good luck finding something you will enjoy for a long time.

Gato Amp 150 , and Belles Aria Signature

I am going to 1+ the Musical Fidelity recommendation. I have the M6500i and it is fantastic. It drives my speakers with such ease they sound like different speakers. MF really is about refinement and ease of effort. If you can get your hands on a dual mono design like mine, go for it.

My second choice would be a tube integrated from Line Magnetic. They offer a very good product for the money and undercut many US integrated tube companies.

I have a LM Audio as well.

be prepared to get not nearly what you think your equipment is worth.