Best sounding integrated between $1500-$3000


There seems to be a lot more new integrated amps on the market recently, and also a fair amount of used pieces on AG. I have seen other threads in the past on AG asking:.... "Best integrated Period"

I have even posted about older integrateds, and was surprised at the response for Musical Fidelity "300" series IAs. There are ads for used good to very good condition integrateds like YBA, Edge, Krell, Redgum, Pathos, Audio by Van Altine, etc.. I think the question should be amended to include the attached rider: :What is (not only) the best sounding integrated amps BUT best value between $1500-$3000??
sunnyjim
"Sounded like the benefits of tube & ss without the negatives of either, IMO."

There you go!
Mapman, I bought someone's DNM HFTN interconnects and ordered another pair directly from Denis. Also purchased DNM speaker cable. Looking forward to get back to DNM and dump my more expensive cables.
The Ayre AX-7e retails for $3500.00 but can be found used for under $3000. If you're able to run it with XLRs, almost nothing else in your price range can touch it.

Once caveat is that that is does not have a "warm" sound, and with the wrong speakers can sound sterile, and more than a bit fatiguing (for example, keep the AX-7e FAR, FAR away from Magnepans). If you prefer a warmer sound, a Plinius 8200 MKII might be something to consider. FWIW, I owned the Plinius, and sold it to get a store demo AX-7e.
I'm very happy with my new integrated, a Rega Elicit-R, which comes in at $3K...your upper limit.
Very musical, good detail, at 105wpc, decent power; nice phono stage. I would highly recommend it. I bi-wire it (Kimber 12TC cable) with my B&W 805S speakers.
Jeff