Favorite integrated amp?

My vote would be Plinius. Which ever one you can afford. I think its one of those pricepoint pieces that is very,very popular..

belles 250i

Audio Refinement. I've owned it four times. 600 bucks used or so. Other ones to keep an eye out for are Creek 5350 SE, Classe CAP 151, Krell Kav 300i, antique sound labs (many models), Manley Stingray just to name a few. You can't beat the value of an integrated. You get a pre amp and power amp that were designed to function together and you don't have a to buy an additional interconnect. The speakers you use will determine which integrated to pick. Make sure you have enough power.

This is going to be your first system, and I suggest you not spend too much.Also, tubes are not always better and certainly not for everyone; I wouldn't recommend them for the beginning, but if you insist try Yakov Aronov integrated. It is 60watt/ch and sounds powerful with good bass. Start with Audiolab 8000LX or 8000S,both 60watt/ch. I have had the former for 5 years.When I want to upgrade I will get Naim,Gryphon or Rowland ConcentraII. Audiolab will cost you $350-$400 used, and they are very reliable. But no phono stage.If you need it then 8000A will do,find the latest;though it is not as good as LX or S. You will need very good cables to extract maximum performance,I use Purist Audio Design interconnects and speaker cables.The player I have is CEC TL5100Z belt drive;it is better than similar Parasound 2000 Ultra-more neutral and dynamic.Plinius,YBA Integre DT,top of the line Creek may be better in some respects, but they are much more expensive and you will be in the middle,not even close to the best sound available from integrateds.For now you probably don't know how far you are ready to go to chase the dream of ultimate sound quality.First you have to find it out and only then put serious money to work.