budget amplification - what to get?

Thanks for your response Fpeel. As far as spending amount, I want to stay in the 500 range (and even below, man I'm cheap!), or if I go above it, I would have to feel confident I won't need to upgrade too soon. I can get the NAD C320 for about 400 including tax, the JoLida JD 1701 is listed for 500. What I am mainly interested in though is bank for the buck rather than the actual amount.
Feel free to make this forum more interesting by posting items from your own audio system evolution.
Thank you.

Rega Brio, Luxman 491, Luxman LV 105, Anthem 1 integrated.

Hi Roc doc. The int. amps you mentioned above would all be fine choices to consider. If you're considering Jolida do
consider the 301 and the 102b also. If used doesn't bother you, listed for sale here are the Rotel RA-985 and Arcam Delta 290 int. amps. Lots of choices! I have the Q1 in my small downstair system and it sounds very nice w/Yamaha CDP and TD, and for amplification a Sherwood RV-4050R Receiver.
You might laugh, but, if you're on a tight budget I would say check out Sherwood's Receivers. (Circuit City has two of their models. Buy the more expensive model and give it a try. If you are not satisfied, return.) If you need a recommendation where to buy the NAD try Greg @ www.kiefsav.com a call. I think those loudspeakers will sound good with just about anything. Good listening and Happy Holidays. Bill

Sometimes you can find the Anthem INT 2 that low, also look for the audio refinement. How about Parasound separates from a couple years ago? I forget the model of the pre amp, but the HCA 500 amp is a little 50 watt solid state that leaves you plenty of room for upgrade.

Do some research into the Acurus DIA line.The Audiophile world often eschews active pre-amps in favor of passive line controllers (pre-amps) to avoidcolloring the sound.The problem with this has been that the output voltage of line level sources (CD's,Tuners,etc everything other than Turntables which require a step up anyway)is that the 3-4 volts hasn't been high enough in gain to feed into an amp.When Acurus designed the DIA intergrated amps first the 100 watt DIA 100 and latter the remote operated DIA 150 they made the line stage passive and cranked up the input sensitivity of the input stage of the amp.The DIA 100 went for $1K whn new and can be found for $400-$500 used the DIA 150 for $800.They were manufactured by a company that also made military hardware sou the contruction is robust and topnotch.Check it out at audioreview.com.I owned both in my career an though have gone tubular i think they are top notch.