Consider the wonderful Audio Refinement Multi-2 (retail $1095). It's designed by YBA, a renown high-end French manufacturer, but produced where labor costs are lower. Very clear, smooth, involving, even tubelike without the drawbacks. It puts out 200 watts per channel into 4 ohms.
For another $155, you can get it in a three channel version, which could come in handy if you think you might ever go multi-channel, such as SACD or Home Theater.
Disclosure: We are a dealer of these.
For another $155, you can get it in a three channel version, which could come in handy if you think you might ever go multi-channel, such as SACD or Home Theater.
Disclosure: We are a dealer of these.