Primare/ Vincent Adio /NAD /Rogue/ AVA /Hegel...- need a simple and reliable integrated

@gano 

I know you said no tube integrated amps due to the need  to simplify maintenance.  However you want warmth, I suggest (and this is what I have done as well a few years ago) is not make a purchase now but save up until you can afford around $1500.  I would then get a Primaluna Prologue Premium (preowned).   They are very very reliable, sound great and easy to maintain.  On EL34 power tubes they give you 35w of tube warmth with great bass and clarity, is able to drive most speakers.  Your klipsch will be very easy and I think would sound amazing with the Primaluna.  And then eventually you can tweak the sound to your liking by doing the center 12au7 tubes.  It’s a component I feel you won’t easily outgrow and in the Looks Department, how could glowing tubes not be inviting and beautiful.  
I did the leap into the Primaluna Prologue One after messing around with different amps, Mac 1900 Receiver, Dynaco, ADCOM and etc.   It’s best decision I made since I went back into tubes but have reliability with it.  

Here is a review of the Prologue One that’s an inter read and testament on how long they last with no frills and drama.  
 

https://www.tonepublications.com/old-school/the-primaluna-prologue-one-integrated/

IMHO and  Just my 2 cents as well.  
 

cheers 

John

While I have had experience with the Audio Refinement Complete integrated amplifier  and thought it a wonderful unit, I believe the asking price on the one mentioned above is too high. This amp sold  new for ~$1000  about 20 years ago.

Check out the SS integrateds for sale here on ag.  Use the 'price low to high' function.  

@mdalton it looks like a quality amp, I will put it on my list

One thing that would be nice is a remote - for the volume. I used to have an integrated with a remote and it makes a difference, for small adjustment I wouldn’t get up.

@pangeek I have heard the Primaluna and once seller even wanted to throw it into the deal for Monitor Audio speakers. It seems to be a very popular choice. As shallow as it sounds, it looks bulky to me. But if the sound was magical, I would definitely consider it.

$1500 is the magic pricepoint. new AVA C2, new Rotels, used Primares, used Hegels, a lot of good deals. I might get there someday, I am posting a lot of vintage items that I have a hard time parting with. It could be 5 months to a year, I can wait....

@mesch thanks for the feedback on Audio Refinement, was it detailed "enough" yet warm? Again, I don’t have the most discerning ears. My test for details is ELO that can easily fail to lay out the Orchestra’s instruments (let alone Liszt - I will never have a system that reproduces the nuances correctly)

Generally I find audiomart and tmr more reasonably priced (sellers don’t have to make up for the fees) but I am looking everywhere

One feature of the Rotel line is the remote. It controls everything including tone controls. If you use them, you can adjust settings from your listening position. I believe they also have Bluetooth is you want to audition something from an online source.