Tube Integrated

Celtic66, thanks for the quick response. I have thought of the IT-85 but I live in Japan and I imagine that with the voltage change and o/seas shipping on an amp, it'll be easier to buy it here (and here they run 2+x that). I am looking more for anecdotal experience and opinions than specific deals.

My suggestion would be a Jolida 302B. It's US $900 NEW, and very musical. I've listened to it and I've been so impressed that it just might find its way in my 2nd system.

Good luck.

Michael

In a class all it's own, both in buid quality, sexy looks and most of all sonics, the Audiomat Arpège by a wide margin. Read both Soundstage reviews, the initial one where it received the editor's choice award, and the follow-up review, a year later I think. I own this great amp, and I am a previous owner of expensive Sonic Frontiers Power 2 and line 2 separates. Let me tell you, I am amazed everyday at the amount of new sounds this amp is able to pull out of cd's. It's a no brainer for those in the know. There are a couple for sale here on Audiogon for about a grand, which makes them an absolute steal, but they are only in ok shape cosmetically. An extra clean unit wil probably set you back around $ 1,500.00 used, and it still smokes anything out there in tubes, and completely dominates such well known ( but way overpriced) solid staters such as the Moon I-5, Musical Fidelity A-300, and Electrocompaniet integrated. I know. I owned all of these before settling on the Audiomat. I wasn't even close nor a fair match-up. Hope this helps and good luck!

I would strongly second the Audiomat. I own the Solfege Reference which is the big brother to the Arpege and this is a line of equipment that is vastly underated.

Lets not forget the Manley Stingray. Its fits in your price point, gorgeous to look at, and sounds great.