i'd save your pennies and try to audition a cary sli-80 integrated, can be found around $1600-1800 used and should match very nicely with your triangles in triode mode.
i have never listened to the plinius but from what i've read it should be nice. same goes fro the audio refinement...but the cary was very musical and completely non-fatiguing when i had one home for the weekend about a month ago. quiet as hell and very involving imo
take your time and listen to as much gear as possible
also, i have really enjoyed my alpha core cabling, check it out if you can
sorry my recommendation is over your budget, but my experience is that stretching a budget is not that bad in the long run. and it is the xmas season right? treat yourself (if it will not bankrupt you)
hope this helps
i have never listened to the plinius but from what i've read it should be nice. same goes fro the audio refinement...but the cary was very musical and completely non-fatiguing when i had one home for the weekend about a month ago. quiet as hell and very involving imo
take your time and listen to as much gear as possible
also, i have really enjoyed my alpha core cabling, check it out if you can
sorry my recommendation is over your budget, but my experience is that stretching a budget is not that bad in the long run. and it is the xmas season right? treat yourself (if it will not bankrupt you)
hope this helps