What Integrated Amp do You use

jjss49- so let me get this right, you’re saying you used separate DACs from what came on the integrateds?  The correct test would be speaker wires directly from the integrateds to the speakers without anything else in the chain.  Oh, but wait, those integrateds didn’t have built in DACS?  Well sure if you want to spend much more money you could get marginally better results, I should have stipulated a one box solution, my bad.  Good luck getting better for $5k.

hey - whatever lets you sleep well at night bob!

you posted the hard-sell, outlandish claim ’none comes close’ - to that, i say, simply not true, many come close (the op’s hint6 for example), and a number in fact exceed, in sound quality (a devialet, for one -- integrated one box solution with dac, AND phono stage, AND SAM, and configurability, or a hegel h190/390/590)

in my original reply to you, i stated clearly the nad is full of features, good on that, and it sounds pretty good -- for 5 grand it should, but for those who prioritize sound quality foremost, it can absolutely be bettered

you can then say, well the nad has dirac, it solves room issues (if done right) -- indeed, if room problems plague a system that cannot otherwise be solved by setup and room treatments, i might agree - but for me, i have no use for dirac, my room works, so i exited the m33 after 6 weeks, kept other integrateds that make music sound better to my ears

LFD  LE VI integrated, hand built by the designer in UK. Somewhat of a rare beast, but sweet sounding.

I’m using the Anthem STR integrated. I think it is a great piece. Lots of functionality and over all very good Amp. I use it with PS audio DS Dac and Focal Sopra 3s. Also the built in room correction has helped me integrate my new Rel carbon limited subs seamlessly. 
@imnop, I am using the STR with QED power cable. Don’t know how your Amp has a fixed power cord. Please recheck at your end, I’m sure it is detachable. 

AYRE AX-5. A superb integrated amp to my ears.

Happy Listening!