Best integrated amp for 10K

Two other terrific integrateds you could consider if you're prepared to stretch would be a Simaudio 700i & Boulder 865 @ around 12k.

In regard to Class A vs Class AB integrated amps, solid state Class A integrateds won't have enough power to drive your Quads, so it's not really worth discussing. Class A/B amps can sound linear and very good if there are a good number of watts in Class A & the designer was successful in notching out any audible crossover distortion. I know that Boulder go to great efforts to notch out crossover distortion & their measured linearity suggests that is so. Edgar Kramer reviewed the 865 for AVHub including a comprehensive lab report which is worth a read.

Ayon Audio build their top ranging gear in Austria which is terrific (eg: CD-2s, CD-5s), however the Triton (and lower range gear) are made in thier factory in Hong Kong with Taiwanese-assembled boards. Have a look at these two links which confirm this -

(Preamble: If the US Ayon Distributor is trolling AG for negative commentary on Ayon components as usual. Don't shoot the messenger. I did NOT write these reviews)..
http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-212&lang=en
http://highfidelity.pl/@main-215&lang=en

Have you considered the matching Quad Classic II? I believe it falls below you budget

The cult following for ESL's and Atma-sphere is very simple.. ESL's draw a tremendous amount of current on the high frequencies and very little on the lows ( this is the exact opposite of a conventional loud speaker ) Atma-sphere excells with this type of load! Sorry for the quick response I have to pick up my 3 year old!

Cheers!

P.S Call Ralph at Atma-Sphere he can explain it better!

Thank you all for your input! Intrigued by the opportunity to get into a used Esoteric A-100 or Jadis DA88S as other great options. Wish there was an easier way to compare these choices.

Do yourself some justice..give the power hungry Quads the Nitro they really need..the $6000.00 giant killer integrated..the Musical Fidelity M6500I..puts out 500 watts continuous into 8 ohms and 850 watts continuous into 4 ohms. Weighs 63 pounds.