Best Integrated amp 'around' $1000???

Mailman, I looked at several integrateds when I downsized last year and went with the NAD 317. The sound was up there with the best of them. I also like the NAD heritage and their philosophy of simplicity...they focus on the music. For the money the NAD is outstanding. I have also heard the Denon PMR2000 (not sure of the model number) is a great integrated and it has phono section. I have seen them for sale on Audiogon used. Check out Audioreview.com and see what everyone is saying about the different integrateds and then listen for yourself. Good luck, hope this helps.

Audio Refinement Complete, there's no real competition in the sub $1000 price range, they generally can be had for sub-$700 here on Audiogon.

There is one here listing at $975. Great product - very neutral and the best warranty in the business.

I'm obviously biased since I currently have my Arcam Alpha 10 listed here for $1050,but I really do think it would be a good choice. See the Arcam website for some info if you are interested.

If you are to choose Linn Majik, you would get very "laid-back" but detailed sound. Majik is very musical too, if matched with right components. It is upgradable, so you can use it solely as an amp, with separate pre-amp. Or it can be used also, as a pre-amp(i've heard good results matchimg Majik pre-Pass aleph 3 amp).I have Majik over three years. Only upgrade i had is in replacing the "jumpers" with "silver AQ" and AC cord with API 313. The "soundstage" have detailed reviews on: Majik, Audio Refinement, Audio Analog Puccini...also all three were "stereophile" class B. You might also consider Sonic Frontiers integrated 2 used around 1k? Good Luck!