Integrateds: $3K, $4.5K or $5K

I guess you have to cut it off somewhere but there are so many integrated amps out that worth considering. As mentioned the Ayre is a great one. I would also add the Krell s300-i, the Creek Destiny and the Simaudio i5.3. These are all top notch and I would think they could easily compete with any that you are considering. The Creek especially is a great buy at around 1000 used it is so much great sound for that price. It's not the most powerful but you are in a small room so power is probably hardly going to be an issue at all for you unless you really crank it way up.

hi,
i would recommend looking into Accuphase integrated amps - probably the best integrated amp - class A or AB

Be sure to include in your considerations some of the Cayin units. Great sound, great value. I have a few and have been well pleased.

Not sure if you are open to other suggestions, but as a Joseph dealer, I can give you 2 other great options for the Pulsars (incredible speakers by the way):

Rogue Audio Pharaoh

Krell s500i

Re Cayin integreteds , FWIW, I have a couple of Cayin 'boat anchors' for which I have been unable to get service or parts from the distributor despite telephone calls, etc. Lots of promises, no follow through. One would think he was going out of business. One would think he would be able to get parts from China for a unit still in production. One would think.....:-(