Best integrated amp for imaging/soundstage at $1K?

The blue circle CS meets your requirments.
It is an amazing amp for the money.
Check out some of the reviews on it.
Very, very, nice sounding.

www.bluecircle.com

Walt Stagner on audiogon is a dealer and has a demo model for $1000 or less. Send him and email.

Cheers,
Nick

Ditto on the CAP-100 recommendation. I sold mine last year for $750, though, so the one currently listed seemed priced a little high, even from orig. owner.

I've owned several Classe pieces, incl. more expensive separates. By itself, the 100 is a good value but not a giant-killer. The amp section is far superior to the preamp section; using a separate preamp -- a CJ tube-pre, for example -- with the 100's fine amp section takes the CAP-100 into a higher realm.

What about the Krell 300 and 400?