My pick would be around your asking $$ I would go with a Threshold S/300 amp and a Audio Research sp6 or sp8. These two in good condition together could be pretty close to you budget ....Had them both and worked very,very well.
Older higher end or newer mid-fi...better bargain?
Say you have $1500 to spend on a 2 channel pre amp/power amp combo or integrated amp: Would you opt for an older, for example, NAIM system (e.g. 62/hi-cap/140 c. mid 90s) or a newer, say CREEK 5350se integrated...or what? Where is the most performance for $1500 to be had? I listen to CDs, SACDs, DVD-As, and LPs.