???What's The LEAST Expensive "End Game"Amplifier You've Ever Heard???


Pretty simple question..
While I’m sure the "No Such Thing" crowd will make sure they represent,I’m not interested in their rhetoric..
I am however,most interested to hear from those who have heard integrated amplifiers they could get off the merry go round with,ESPECIALLY if it was on the more budget end of cost..For myself it would have to be the Sugden A21SE but that was 2 years ago,before the cost climbed to $4000.00......
Thanks for participating..

freediver

The XA-25 is an astonishing sounding amp ("veiled and rolled off highs with wooly bass" are absolutely NOT part of the XA-25 sound in my experience) and I’ve enjoyed mine tremendously for a few years now. It’s a keeper, as is my Had Firebottle HO (high output...ha...) SEP...that thing cost me about 1100 bucks and it was only a few months old (maybe 5 years ago). I swap between the two amps as my mood dictates and use very efficient horn speakers, so there’s that. Had and Pass make integrated amps from these two designs which are also well regarded.

Krell-Evolution 402e. Cost is very dependent due to condition of this near SOTA power amp.

Norma Revo IPA-140. Might be able to find a late model version for $4k which meets the OP's criteria.

+1 on the Synthesis integrated amps, the A40 or A100.

I've had a ton of amps, both integrateds and separates, and the Synthesis has ended my in interest in finding anything "better." The onboard DAC is also very capable, although I will admit that my Lampizator Horizon is on another level, as it should be given the discrepancy in price. Together, they are just incredible.