Best Integrated Amp, Price no obstacle?

No, according to my local dealer there was a further production delay, now expected within another month or so.

In the meantime I took another listen to the I-5 with my new speakers, Reference 3a Veenas. The I-5 sounded better than ever, and more than sufficiently powerful for these moderately sensitive speakers, rated 89db. For me therefore, the I-7 will be of more interest for the prospect of refinement of the preamp stage than for the increased wattage.

By far, if cost no object, the VAC integrated is the best. I would also say that it sounds better then any and all separates on the market. Even though it is $20K, you can probably spend twice more and get twice less. There are some exciting solid state monsters in this price range that have an awesome dynamic capability along with hard hitting bass, but you can't get better over-all sound and emotion from music as you will from the VAC.

Has anyone heard the NAD S300 Integrated amp? http://www.zerogain.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=2488

i heard this amp, very average, uninvolving sound. only consider used, new way too expensive for the sound it delivers

I heard the S300 powering a pair of Totem Hawks right before hearing the Forests powered by a Krell kav400xi in the same showroom. The Forest/Krell pairing was far superior to my ears. The NAD was somewhat 'sterile' in comparasion, but I also prefer the Forest to the Hawk as well, so this would have played a role in my impression.