Seeking a "high end" integrated amplifier


All,

I have gone totally 2 channel and am replacing my multichannel EAD PM2K amp and EAD Signature with an integrated stereo amplifier. I'd love to stay under $5000 (used) but could be convinced to go more if there is really good reason. Though not as high as the 4 box ASR!

I listen to all kinds of music from jazz to classical to rock (from Miles to Billie H., from Bach to Stravinsky, from Van Morrison & Steely Dan to female vocals like Anna Nalick) but typically don't play at too loud a volume.

My speakers are the Amati Homage, the CD player is the Electrocompaniet ECD1 UP and I'm currently using a Goldmund integrated now that I've taken the EAD out of the picture. I like the Goldmund quite a bit but I'm using it currently after moving it from my second system and need a new one anyway. I am tempted by, for example, the Rowland Continuum but am completely open to input.

I don't know all that much about integrated amps and have read many of the posts about integrated amps. So I have looked at the lengthy list. What I was looking for help was with as SPECIFIC as possible recommendations given the rest of my equipment and musical taste.

Thanks in advance!
seldon
My congratulations to you Seldon. I guess you didn't manage to stay under the $5k (used) target?

What else did you audition before you pulled the trigger on the Vitus?
True. I did not manage to stay under that target! :)

I listened to the Pass (which was very good) but not the Jeff Rowland. I also listened to Rega (just ok) but I was not able to listen to the Luxman or the Gryphon. But this Vitus - my vocabulary is not good enough to describe it. All I'll say is that I'm really happy.
Seldon, congrats on the Vitus, I think thats a nice machine, it got very good response couple of years ago when it arrived on the scene and they redid the preamp since then so im sure it got even better.
I concur with the positive feedback on Vitus. I know very, very experienced people whose ears i trust and can calibrate to my own having shared listening and auditioning sessions with them. Vitus is one pretty incredible amp. Built like a supertank with off the charts specs and (owning a Gryphon myself, another Danish design), i am confident based on my friends opinion of Vitus it is a pretty incredible sound.

I own the SF strads and have a Zanden DAC, so our sounds are probably fairly similar in that respect, having heard the Electrocompaniet which is an excellent and natural player. congrats...must be incredible sound! enjoy!