Better Integrated Amp?

I use a Yamaha a-s801 integrated. Silver faceplate but it comes in black too. The listed  factory rating of 100 wpc in 8 ohms, 165 in 4 ohms is inaccurate. Gene DellaSalla of Audiohaulics magazine Tests proved that the numbers were really about 125 @8 ohm and about 188 @ 4 ohm. Really sharp unit in my opinion. Got it for $700.00 less than a year ago at ABT in Glenview Illinois. 

I'm on board with the group liking the Yamaha A S-501. I have had mine for a short time but am really impressed with it's performance.

I really enjoy my Cambridge audio cxa81. I would look for a used cxa60. 

Only 30 wpc, buy speakers later? Hmmmmm

That presumes you eventually buy efficient speakers, I would want more like 92 db/1w/1m. Often more efficient speakers are large, and big cabinets get expensive, as well as hard to fit.

I think it is best to concentrate on what speakers will fit/perform well in your listening space, always preferring higher efficiency, and once speakers are solved, then how much power is needed?

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I read somewhere recently that low bass is about 65% of the work an amp has to do. I want to retrace my steps to find it again.

Sooo, if you go first to a self powered sub (or two), then to your amp (after bass has been taken out of the signal), the amp will have a much easier job to do, AND, the mains will also do a better job with highs, mids, upper bass, not trying to make low bass.

Thus: buying a 30wpc amp may be enough, if you get efficient mains for highs and mids, and self powered sub-woofer(s) for low bass.
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However, that presumes you have a preamp out to the sub, then from sub to amp. Keep that in mind when choosing your integrated amp.

If you can find it for the price, look for an integrated with a transformer for each channel...dual mono. Then it won’t matter so much what speaker you buy.

A stepped attenuator is also a good sign.
A good/dedicated preamp section is a good sign.

A stand alone phono preamp is a good idea as even a $200 unit is better than most mid priced phono sections in integrated amps.