budget amplification - what to get?

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.

amen to the Rega Brio.. really great integ. amp to get started with. Used it in my second system and now as a backup amp if anything goes wrong.. upgraded to Mira in second sys. You can find used Rega Miras for 550--650 dollars like I did.

Thank you very much, for all the answers. Does anybody have any idea where an Acurus DIA could be found? Also, if anybody has anything for sale, let me know please.
One other idea: does the Marantz PM 7000 fit in this list anywhere?