I finally went from separates to an integrated five years ago. Speakers were and are Sonus Faber Cremona floorstanders. Sources are LPs and LPs/CDs that I've ripped into FLAC and AIFF files. I bought a used Hegel H200. That model and the H300 do not have built in DACs which for me are just a way of obsoleting an integrated before its time. I like the build and the sound. Plenty of juice to drive the speakers, good tonal balance, excellent low level resolution and decent imaging. If it's on the source, you will hear it. Last month I bought a demo BAT VK3000SE. It is above your budget but there is another used one listed on Audiogon. Better than the H200? The answer is yes in every respect. Better value than the H200, slightly. Worth looking at and it's made in Wilmington, DE so service is not an issue.
