Which integrated amp for rock/metal (and why McIntosh?)

Hi @waltersalas ,
Reading the feedback about McIntosh, I started digging deeper on shipping requirements and after care. The unsettling higher cost finally tipped me over to look further, for a more local brand.
Eventually, I went for a German brand: T+A. Their PA 3100 HV (A+B integrated amp) has excellent reviews and I could buy one for a fair price. As the enclosure was damaged way beyond the dealer’s promises, he had it completely replaced at T+A. They showed an amazing customer service - excellent open and transparant contact.
While I started on a BlueSound node, I meanwhile bought a brand new T+A MP 3100 HV as well. Very multifunctional and highly integrated with the PA.
The speakers work awesome now. They have not blinked an eye, the looks are truly gorgeous and stunning. I replaced the spikes with GAIA I feet and put them on a 30 kg marble slab (my wooden floor is not that even). My dad brought Pink Floyd with him last week, to test the Mediaplayer with the Amp. The depth of the sound is amazing, you can point where the instruments are played. I used to listen to music, now I really take an entire evening to listen to this setup. Fyne did a great job with these massive speakers.

My complete setup
- T+A PA 3100 HV & T+A MP 3100 HV (both on an oak slab, supported by Herbie’s Big Fat Dots to avoid damaging the closet on which they stand).
- T+A Quad XLR interconnects, standard powercables but I plan to move to T+A Carbon. WireWorld UTP cable.
- Fyne Audio F704, on Gaia I feet.
- Pure silver bare bi-wire cables from Tempo Electric (USA)
- REL Carbon Special, on Herbie’s gliders, connected with the REL AirShip.
- iFi Audio PowerStation to clean the electricity

(If my wife reads the above, you're all invited to my funeral)

Those are pretty efficient. One of the Lyngdorf integrated amps would be amazing. You could sell you dac as well if you have one. Really tights up fast metal like you wouldn’t believe with the best in class room correction.

Not too many integrated will give you the power you need into 8 ohm. 

Thought bout a separate amp?
***YES, go to a nice A/AB amp. ***


Cool speakers!

McIntosh would be great!
Sunfire is an amazing powerhouse.

Make sure to christen the new speakers with Darkness descends, pleasure to kill, or consuming impulse. ,,/

These are nice amps @mofojo ! And slightly more portable than the 40kg of the PA 3100 HV. Looks nice indeed. I admit I love the sober bulkiness of the T+A. Nothing fancy - just music. 

I thought about separated amps @arcticdeth.  I even considered monoblocks. But in the end, the T+A factory is 2 hours drive away. Stepping up to spending big money (speakers, MP and amp are each more expensive than my wife's car), I really wanted to pay attention to guarantee and repairs. REL sub is new, T+A covers guarantee for 3 years after repairs, etc. 
Honestly, to christen the speakers I was looking for music that would be subtle, vocal, and heavy as well. I eventually settled for Light Field Reverie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J72wtM8d1DM Give it a shot - amazing to feel how the music builds up tension and how accurate the speakers throw it in my living room.

UnderwoodHiFi has a few Wyred4Sound integrates that should be great for you
https://www.underwoodhifi.com/specials