Impressions: $1k-$2k integrated amps

I demo’d the Rega against the Bel Canto integrated over Maggie LRS speakers playing cd with Rega CD player.
Probably listened to each for half hour. Here are my notes that I took at time on my phone:

Auditioned Rega Elex-R vs. Bel Canto C5i integrated amps. Magnepan LRS speakers (no sub) with Rega Apollo CD player. Small room

Liked Rega better. Close. Rega better bass, more full bodied, more layers, grittier. Bel Canto more clarity, maybe more revealing, maybe little wider soundstage. Salesman thought BC better

Listened for about half hour each, Buddy Guy blues.

please clarify, 

I think you only want to hear about those amps, or any others you add to your list, correct?

Hi @kren0006: thanks much! this is cool!

Hi @elliottbnewcomjr.

The amps on my list are examples, and definitely ones I’ve looked at closely, but i’m open to any thoughts on any integrated in this price range. I'm really just interested in a dialogue of impressions about these amps to see if any consistent trends/characteristics emerge about different units.  Also impressions of the included phono stages are of interest, as these seem to vary wildly from amp to amp.  Anything to add?

Thanks!

Been living with the Creek Evolution 50a with Ruby2 DAC board the last 2 weeks,VERY first SS amp I've had in almost 15 years,having been strictly into tubes...
 ABSOLUTELY amazed how far SS has come.This amp displays wonderful color & texture through the upper bass & midrange,a sweet,extended treble,good solid bass with very good tone & texture,imaging & staging not at tube level but much better than I expected..Interestingly the headphone circuit is SUPERB,rivaling the tube can amps I've demo'd & owned(Schiit,Cavalli,modded APPJ Audio & Woo Audio)...

So I don’t have vinyl and didn’t listen to the Rega phono input, but since Rega foremost a turntable company, their integrated amp phono inputs are considered good as far as integrated phono stages go, from what I’ve read.

It should be noted the Bel Canto was class D, which can have advantages and disadvantages. That’s a whole separate topic. Bel Canto is a nice amp, I just liked the Rega a bit better but others would have opposite opinion, as the salesman did.

I’d look at Hegel also in the price range. Rega and Hegel both class A/B.

Rega has a sort of analog sound I would describe it. Hegel more forward a bit (but not bright -- bright would be Rotel in this price range.  Note that Rega doesn't include a DAC, whereas many others do (Hegel, Bel Canto, others that will be mentioned).  Not sure whether having an integrated DAC is important to you or not (for phono you won't need a DAC).

These just my subjective impressions. Others will disagree. All personal preference. YMMV.

FWIW, I settled instead on the Marantz PM7000n because it was less expensive and a true all-in-one (meaning it includes a streamer for streaming Tidal, Spotify, etc.). If my budget had been higher and I had space for multiple boxes (this was for my 3rd system), I'd have likely gone with Rega and an external dac/streamer.