Best Integrated amp 'around' $1000???

While I've heard almost every piece mentioned above and agree they are all credible choices, would you believe a 20 year old Luxman L 450 will cleanly take them all out? Believe it. That vintage of Luxman was simply unmatched. Just a thought if you run across one.

i thought my linn kairn preamp was really nice - unbelievably detailed & accurate, great soundstage width & height, but little depth. so, i went for a tubed preamp. still, i think their integrated is good sound for money - all the linn stuff has a similar clarity to their sound. *but*, i'd also check out electrocompaniet - much more depth than the linn stuff; still accurate & detailed. the only reason i stopped using my old electrocompaniet ec-1a preamp a few years ago, was that i wanted remote-control. i *still* use a pair of their amps, bi-amping my monitors... their recent integrated amps offer remote-control, & can be found used for ~$1k... doug ps - also mite wanna check out the pathos classic one - a hybrid integrated: ss amp/tube pre; retails for $2k, seen used for ~$1-$1.3k, remote-control, drop-dead georgeous. never heard on myself, but it'd be on my short-list if i were in the market, due to its reviews & looks! also, alchemist electronics are really sweet-sounding solid-state, & cool-looking...

British are very hard to beat in this market, top units for your price are Musical Fidelity A3 and Mission Cyrus 7..... if you want Linn go for Kollector/LK85 combo for more money but big step up from Majik. Audio Refinement is good unit, would not even consider AA Pucini. LFD Mistral is good but a class below the MF and Cyrus.