Pure analog system with high power

@adversam Yep, still vinyl only.  It wasn't so much a problem to solve, rather than a specification that I learned to pay attention to.  I'll provide my (fairly limited) understanding on the issue, but I'm sure others can add to it.  The quality of the external phono stage is irrelevant for this discussion - a high quality stage and a cheap stage with the same gain and the same cartridge will put out the same voltage.  

To keep the math simple, the standard 40db/60db gain for MM/MC corresponds to 100x/1000x amplification.  So, if you have a 4mV MM cartridge, your MM phono stage will put out 400mv (100x4mV).  Similarly, a .4mV cartridge into an MC stage put out the same 400mv (1000x.4mV).  Of course, the phono stage will output more voltage on musical peaks.

I'll now use the example of two different integrated amps that I have demoed at home.  The first had a very low input sensitivity of 1.2v (note: higher numbers = lower input sensitivity).  So, my 40db phono stage wasn't even putting out half the voltage needed to drive the integrated to full power.  This amp sounded terribly dull with no dynamic punch.  The second integrated had a high input sensitivity of 125mV, so my phono stage was putting out more than three times the needed voltage to drive it to full power.  On this particular amp, I couldn't use much of volume control range - it got very loud very quickly.

I've found the most success in choosing integrated amps that have an input sensitivity a little lower than the output of the phono stage, but not significantly lower.  So, with a 400mV output from the phono stage, integrated amps with input sensitivity in the 200-350mV range have worked the best in terms of having good range on the volume control, no overloading, and still maintaining a full, dynamic sound.

I'm just sharing my personal experience and my admittedly limited knowledge on input sensitivity.  Others may correct some errors above, but I'm pretty damn certain about my experience :).  

Cheers,Scott
 

Magnepan’s are great sounding speakers period. Don’t let people put you off from them. You will need tons of high current and watts to drive them, don’t let anyone tell you different. Macintosh and Magnepan’s are not a good fit. Classe Amps are the perfect fit. I prefer the older Classe Amps. Current Magnepan system: Magnepan 20.1’s with Classe CAM350’s. I know that’s not in y our budget, but the big panels give the big bass. Any model from the MGIIIA"s and up will give you very nice bass. I hear great things about the LRS’s, get a great servo sub, with a used Classe CA200 or comparable Classe amp and you should be good to go...Enjoy the Music...
Before I get slammed, I really like Macintosh Amps, just not with Magnepan Speakers.

@smrex13 thanks again that' s a very nice info... could you mention some integrated or power amp which played your vinyls in a very satisfying way? that's exactly the recommendation i need as basically i play just vinyls as you

@adversam I think you're making a good choice by considering an integrated amp with high power - that approach will work well with Magnepans, Harbeths, and most other speakers as well.  It's a great foundation for whatever you decide to do down the road. 

I won't pretend to know the used market at your price point.  As far as new integrated amps, here are a few companies that make products that are generally well regarded by reviewers and people who have owned them long term:

-Parasound:  HINT 6 - Yes, you're paying for a bunch of other stuff (dac, phono stage), but by all accounts it's a very good integrated amp even if you aren't using its other features.

-Musical Fidelity:  M6si - This one is a powerhouse - 220wpc.  For some reason, MF doesn't spec their input sensitivity, so you might want to do some research to see if it's a good match.  The M5si is also well regarded and still has 150wpc into 8 ohms.

-Bryston - they only make one integrated amp now, and it's beyond your budget.  But Bryston gear lasts forever, so the used market might be an option here.

Hegel - Many people rave about Hegel.  I have tried two of their integrated amps (H80 and H200) over the years.  Neither worked well for me, but I'm in the minority.  In hindsight, I wonder if they have a lower input sensitivity, as they sounded distant and lacked dynamics.  To be fair, I haven't heard any of their more recent models.

Those are just some quick thoughts.  Ideally, you'd be able to hear them in your own system.  But, again, if you get a well designed, high powered integrated amp, then you can have fun experimenting with phono stages (tubed and ss), different cartridges, turntables, tonearms, and speakers, all of which likely will have a far greater impact on the sound of your system. 

Cheers,
Scott  

@smrex13 thank you again for your reply, you're really giving me great inputs! indeed regarding the integrated i m between the hint6 and the m6si... following your previous comment i also went to check the input sensibility but i confirm you that for m6si there' s no info... i'm also thinking of odyssey's amps but first need to find out about eventual shipping to eu. I have a last question for you, coming back to Parasound's gears... as an alternative to the Hint6 I'm seriously considering an Halo A21 power amp, maybe with a Schiit Freya as a preamp... Did you have any experience with the A21? Could it be a good match playing music with a turntable? Thanks again for your precious help:)