Help with picking new integrated for under 3k

Hi all, thanks again for all the replies. After a lot of reading and research I’m leaning toward the kinki ex-m1+ I’ve heard nothing but good things. Does anyone in the New York City area have any idea where I could demo one? Or, for those who have ordered direct or from an online retailer (@niskymichael), is there a return policy and/or trial period? Thanks!

It’s been a while but I finally settled on an upgrade. I saw a great deal on the Rogue RP1 and figured I should just give it a shot after reading a lot of good things and having recently heard the Cronus magnum and enjoying it greatly. I figured I could save a good chunk of change with this solution and down the road upgrade my power amp if I found the Rotel to underperform or not pair well with the rogue. Well, I’m very happy I went this route. I ended up being $1800 under budget and feel that the rogue greatly improved my system. Everything sounds better. The sound stage is much, and I mean much greater than what the Cambridge threw and its more relaxed and effortless while at the same time more dynamic, full, and overall involving. I’m wondering if anyone else has this preamp and what their impressions are? Really makes me want to dig deeper into rogue’s offerings. My one critical note, is that the phono stage included with the unit is not as clean, dynamic, and subtle as my phonomena ii+ I noticed less punch, more harshness, and a smaller sound stage using it. That’s not to say it didn’t sound good, just with A/B comparison to the phonomena it struggled. But for the price of the unit it offers a helluva lot and has made me very happy. 

Congrats on the new preamp.  Since you now have $1800 burning a hole in your pocket I'd recommend upgrading your amp while you're at it.  If you sell the Rotel you could pick up either of these, which would likely show similar types of improvements to those you experienced by replacing the Cambridge with the Rogue.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649542736-clayton-audio-m70-monoblock-amplifiers/

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9fehd-mccormack-dna-1-smc-gold-special-solid-state?refsource=hi...

For the money, Rogue is spectacular.  

Check out the Hydra.  You can get them used for ~$1800.  I have had one for years and it is what I use in space constrained areas.  It runs cooler than you can believe and no one would ever guess it is a Class D.  You will want to roll in new tubes.   For a more sparkly sound, NOS Cifte’s are amazing.  For a warmer sound, NOS Mullard long plates.  

Used Sugden A21SE Class A integrated will easily drive what you have.  The Duelund speaker wire matches well with this amplifier.  Don't let the 30wpc fool you as they are substantial.  It is a ballsy amp.  And it is very quick which matches well with the Gallos.