Integrated Tube Amplifier for First Timer?

In order of preference: (1) Cary Sli-80, (2) Rogue Cronus, (3) CJ CAV-50, (4) the older ARC integrated (not the one in their current line-up)...

Try a used Pathos Classic, great sound, great looks.

I love my Primaluna PL2. Easy to deal with, great sound, can use a variety of tubes, well built. You can find them used for about 1K on Audiogon.

There are so many items that meet this criterion, you owe it to yourself to do a bit of digging. Almost every response you get here or on other forums will necessarily be colored by that respondent's ownership and biased in the direction of such amp.

At this price level there is no real greatness, only "pretty-niceness" at best. I know, I played in that sandbox a long time. Buy used, with the understanding that you will probably outgrow it. Nothing wrong with that, and it is the path most of us who have been in this game any length of time have taken anyway. Assuming you have some funds and some time to do this and not get crazy serious about it, it can be a lot of fun.

There's still a used VTL IT-85 available here on audiogon. It's a steal at what the guy's asking for it plus it's got remote control. I really like VTL gear. Their house sound is warm and full bodied but not syrupy. Lots of bass for a tube amp also.

The Jolida 302b is a great starter Int. amp. However it can sound kind of blah without a active pre-amp in front of it.