I have not heard the Venere, so am just suggesting some good integrateds that you might not have considered, mostly at $2K or under. I have quite a bit of experience with SF, but not with the Venere line, unfortunately. At 85dB and 6 ohm they may be a little hard to drive. Stereophile actually measured them at 82 dB, I believe.
Plinius 8200 MkII is very good, but also hard to find. Has a great following.
NAD C390DD is an all digital offering, scaled down from there more expensive M2. The M3 is also available used in your range, not DD.
I have always liked Naim, so the 5i or XS might be a option.
Absolute Sound used a Hegel H300 in its review. You should check out out the review if you have not already. You probably have if you are considering the H80.
I have a Pathos Classic One driving old SF Concerto and it is lovely rich sound. The tube front end is very nice if you like that richness. If you like real detail, a hybrid may not be the way to go.
Peachtree Nova 125 is also a hybrid integrated but adds a usb DAC. I have never heard one, but many people like Peachtree. Again, it is a hybrid so you get some of the tube sound.
Ayre typically matches well to SF. However, their AX-7e integrated can be hard to find used. But I bet it would be a nice combination.
Of course, Wyred 4 Sound is suppose to be the giant killer these days. You might want to look at their integrateds.
The Yamaha S-2000 is another option, at the top of your price range new. It has gotten excellent reviews. Don't be put off by the Yamaha name. It is a fine integrated.
Some of these may be a bit of overkill for the 1.5s. Just thought I would throw out some options to consider. Probably adds more confusion that help, but these are what I would consider in your price range.
Good luck.
Plinius 8200 MkII is very good, but also hard to find. Has a great following.
NAD C390DD is an all digital offering, scaled down from there more expensive M2. The M3 is also available used in your range, not DD.
I have always liked Naim, so the 5i or XS might be a option.
Absolute Sound used a Hegel H300 in its review. You should check out out the review if you have not already. You probably have if you are considering the H80.
I have a Pathos Classic One driving old SF Concerto and it is lovely rich sound. The tube front end is very nice if you like that richness. If you like real detail, a hybrid may not be the way to go.
Peachtree Nova 125 is also a hybrid integrated but adds a usb DAC. I have never heard one, but many people like Peachtree. Again, it is a hybrid so you get some of the tube sound.
Ayre typically matches well to SF. However, their AX-7e integrated can be hard to find used. But I bet it would be a nice combination.
Of course, Wyred 4 Sound is suppose to be the giant killer these days. You might want to look at their integrateds.
The Yamaha S-2000 is another option, at the top of your price range new. It has gotten excellent reviews. Don't be put off by the Yamaha name. It is a fine integrated.
Some of these may be a bit of overkill for the 1.5s. Just thought I would throw out some options to consider. Probably adds more confusion that help, but these are what I would consider in your price range.
Good luck.