What integrated amp under a grand is your favorite

A used YBA Integre. You'll be hard pressed to find a better 50 SS watts. Beautiful top to bottom including the innards. peace, warren

Try a Jolida 302b for $900 new. It's a tube integrated that sounds really exceptional with the right speakers. (My favorite combo so far is the Jolida 302b and Totem Arros speakers, both of which would fit in your friend's $3000 budget.)

Michael

I agree with Celtic66. I really enjoyed my Audio Refinement Complete integrated. It's basically an entry level YBA integrated...great engineering and build quality.!

I had the pleasure of hearing the Almarro A205A 4.5 watt integrated at the last CES.
I've been using one (purchased used for $415 -new retail is $800) for about three months (with KEF Q1's).
This thing is BASIC in that it allows only one input.
I sounds, however like something MUCH more powerful (the maker says it is due to oversized output transformers).
I just moved into a new dwelling and have not had the urge to unbox my ARC VT-100 Mk III (but will eventually...).
Using sound as the yardstick, the Almarro just kicks ass! Very pure, fast, clean -you name it!
The maker is thinking about including a headphone jack which would make this puppy a monster!
Death to high priced audio!

Although I have not heard the other suggested amps, I currently own a Audio Refinement Complete Integrated. It compares remarkably well to other more expensive separates I have had.