Best Integrated, period.

I don't put a monetary value on sound. That's where I lay down my ears. As an example, I auditioned the Ayre AX5 and chose the Hegel H200 over it. Believe me when I tell you that if I liked the Ayre better I would have made it happen. I got a email from a Hegel dealer who told me that he and everyone who works in his shop prefers the Hegel H200 over the H300. Now that's funny to me and I don't care because I love this amp and I don't need to hear the H300. All I can say about this particular amp is to run it balanced. Huge difference.

It's taken me a long time to finally get to the point where I don't care what any review or person says about anything. I am now so satisfied with my system it blows my mind. I'll never be off the merry go round but I only ride it every 5 years or so. All I have left is Oyaide banana plugs and a sub woofer and this will be my second to last system I ever own.

@Donjr
Regarding Hegel H200 vs H300, it's possible that a much better external DAC was used for the H200 over the H300's internal DAC. Thus the preference of the less expensive model over the more expensive one. Not saying price is always the determining factor but just want to explore the plausible explanations. I'm genuinely interested in what you have to say because I currently have the H100 and actively looking to move up. Thanks for your comments.

Hegel 300 vs 300
The 300 has a bit more resolution and air on top,and Very neutral
Sounding ,compared to the 200 a bit on the thin side.the 200
Sounds like a high end Vacuum tube amp with snap and detail and warmer fuller sounding.
Very system dependent on cables, speakers, and source components.
They are both very good just a bit different, that is why how neutral,
Or full sounding the rest of your system is will dictate your purchase .

Just found a mint 1974 Marantz Japanese model and am blown away at the musicality of the sound. Had the boards re-soldered and new caps put in. Japanese electronics like Sansui and Marantz are second to none. I only see Luxman building this quality stuff any more.

Styxtrekr, I knew that the Exemplar Exception integrated amp would be at the RMAF but just learned that the exemplaraudio.com page is complete now.