Classe integrated or Musical Fidelity?

For $1400-1600, you should be able to pick up a Meitner PA-6i with phono and a pair of Meitner MTR-101 monoblocs. Nothing else will come close. That's my 2 cents' worth, anyway. Joel.

If you do not need the additional power you may want to consider the Musical Fidelity A3 amp (85 watts/channel) at $500.00 less. It has better writeups and reviews. I use Musical Fidelity X components and am very pleased with the sound, though the A series having a slightly cleaner sound would be a better match with your Vandersteens IMO. I have also listened to the Classe at a shop and enjoyed its smooth top end, but this was on a pair of much brighter speakers than yours. I would give the A3 a try as well, as you never know until you listen in your home.

Both are well thought of with (I think) the MF being a newer design (which may be meaningless). If there are any significant differences which would be apparent to you, it should be you who makes that decision, since essentially everyone has a set of variables which are unique to them. I think that you would be satisfied with either one. But, if you must have a choice, then do very well controlled side-by-side. It's more difficult than you might expect.