Strong recommendation here for the VAC Sigma 160i, or better still, the SE version. Available used in your price range, depending on options.
With speakers as sensitive as yours, the 85 watts per channel would be very generous.
This is a MAGNIFICENT sounding integrated amp. I'm powering Nola KO speakers, 89 db sensitivity, and the power is plenty. Carl Marchisotto of NOLA recommended it and uses it to demonstrate his speakers.
Before the VAC, I had an Audio Research VSi60 -- also a wonderful amp, also recommended by Carl M, and available used these days for under $3,000. The VAC has a bigger sound, better bass, kind of more of everything.
It's available with or without a MM phono section, and with or without balanced inputs. Mine is an SE and has both options. I used the PS Audio Stellar phono pre, though, which absolutely wipes out the VAC phono.
With speakers as sensitive as yours, the 85 watts per channel would be very generous.
This is a MAGNIFICENT sounding integrated amp. I'm powering Nola KO speakers, 89 db sensitivity, and the power is plenty. Carl Marchisotto of NOLA recommended it and uses it to demonstrate his speakers.
Before the VAC, I had an Audio Research VSi60 -- also a wonderful amp, also recommended by Carl M, and available used these days for under $3,000. The VAC has a bigger sound, better bass, kind of more of everything.
It's available with or without a MM phono section, and with or without balanced inputs. Mine is an SE and has both options. I used the PS Audio Stellar phono pre, though, which absolutely wipes out the VAC phono.