Looking for a great value integrated

I've had NAD, and ARCAM in my B-system and strangely, with TOTEM speakers (ARROs and Forests) [NAD C370 & ARCAM FMJ A32 & ARCAM ALPHA 2]

The ARCAMs are gone along with the TOTEM speakers since I upgraded to a REGA ISIS valve cdp/ REGA OSIRIS amp / REGA R9 speaker kit

I've auditioned the BRIO as a replacement for the NAD system to go with REGA R1 bookshelves. Is it worth it ... a qualified yes. It suits my listening tastes but I haven't done it for immediate cash reasons cuz I redid the A system

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES:

(1) TOTEMs are power hungry and perform best with a lot of grunt (hi-current and wattage). THE FORESTS did not come alive until they were biamped with a second ARCAM FMJ P35 power amp.

(2) IMO TOTEMS (including both the ARROs and FORESTS) performed SIGNIFICANTLY better with ARCAM than NAD

(3) Test drove the REGA BRIO (prior version).... incredible amp for the money with a memorable musicality that is hard to define without personally experiencing it. Performs way above its price point.

(4) I ran the ARCAM ALPHA 2 (initially) & then ran the ARCAM FMJ A-32 amp with the bookshelf REGA R1 speakers with startling results ... clarity, transparency, detail.

5) Currently running the R1s in an all NAD system ...completely different sound. Still acquits itself well but kit satisfaction may depend on your music tastes to an appreciable degree.
THE POINT:
- if jazz, classical and easy listening is your music genre ... ARCAM or REGA hands-down.
- If you are into rock with bass boom then the NAD will likely suit you better

6) Have you test driven the Sim Audio Moon i-3 Amplifier (~ $1K used on Audiogon)?
SIM AUDIO are voiced with TOTEMS and vice-versa (both in Montreal) and SIM will give you the best of both IMO - refinement and grunt for the money.

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/simaudio_i3.htm

I think you can change the sound from the NAD for that price but options that are clearly better with those speakers may be few.

I'd look at a Class D Icepower integrated like Bel Canto S300 which comes up for sale periodically on A'gon and that is nimble and powerful enough to bring out the best from either Totem or B&W.

I've heard the Rainmakers with a few different integrateds that a dealer carried. One was from Simaudio (but I think it was the i5 or something like that, probably above your price range). Others were a DK integrated, Music Hall Mambo, and a Jolida 302b. He also had it with Marsh separates (probably available used for under $1K for BOTH amp and preamp).

My favorite combination was the Jolida 302b with the Rainmakers, with the Simaudio in 2nd place, and the rest a close 3rd. The Jolida is exciting and musical, the Mambo a little warm and subdued, the Sim articulate. As I recall, the Marsh and DK sounded very good, but just a half a notch below the rest in terms of the "intriguing factor".

Ultimately, though, as good as the Rainmakers sound for their price and sound, they are limited by their exaggerated mid-bass and lack of full bass extension. Ultimately to get to the next level you'll have to upgrade your speakers.

Michael

I think I may try to do some auditioning of the integrated amps you guys mentioned with my Rainmakers. But, what about if I just decide to focus on the B&W system--what would go well with the CM7's for a bit cheaper? Let me be clear, I don't like the Rotel sound very much, so I want to try to stay away from Rotel. I am currently finding the Rotel+CM7 combo to be a bit thin sounding, lacking mid-range. Some extra warmth would be nice too. Some have mentioned the Rega Brio--what about the Mira? The Rega's are very appealing to me at the price point, and from the things I hear people say about them. I like the small/simple package as well. Unfortunately, I won't be able to audition any Rega amps with my speakers, so if I purchase one it will be on faith alone. Would these go well with the B&W CM7?

As for the other integrated amps, how would you describe their sound?

I would look into Rega's very inexpensive integrateds, or if you want to spend a little bit more, you can't do too much better than Naim in the solid state realm.