Best Integrated Under $3000


I tried this in a earlier thread and did not receive any responses. So, I will try this another way. I am a newbie and am looking to purchase a new integrated or an immaculate used integrated. However, the more I look and research the more indecisive I become. I will be mainly using a two channel set up listening to mostly vinyl through a Clearaudio Emotion TT but some CD's as well. I will also be using the system as part of a HT (80% 2 Channel-20% HT). I have a Marantz SR-6400 to power the rears and center. The speakers are Kirksaeter Prisma 210 (very efficient). I was initially leaning toward Musical Fidelity (A5.5 new, or Nu-Vista, Tri-Vista used), but I like the McIntosh MA-6300 as well. Then a friend told me to look at the Rega Elicit which also reviews well but does not have much power. Finally, my dealer advised to look at the Atoll IN200, which also looks like a great piece and reviewed great in 6moons.

So please experienced Audiophiles, I bow to your expertise. Please grant me more knowledge from your experience on any of these models or one that is not on the list.
sebraasch
If you can't audition these then you are going to have to take a leap of faith. Chances are that if you haven't ever owned any good gear then anything is going to sound pretty good and you will be happy. You will only know if you get them all and only keep your favorite if you have made the perfect choice. If you know that those are the speakers you are keeping then I would do my best to find out what gear is know to sound good with them and go from there. If you're still not sure then go with a well known brand and try to get a good price used.
I agree that you cannot lose with a used nu/tri vista.

With that said - here are the some others I like in this range or less for your speakers and listening interest:

Naim Nait XS - really, really musical. Don't worry about the stated power - plenty of current

Musical Fidelity A5.5 - good, lots of head room

Ayre Acoustics A7se - really good

Exposure 2010s - great bargain - good sound

Vincent Audio SV-236 MkII - hybrid - really, really good

Anything new or used from Sim Audio

Anything used from Blue Circle.

Haven't heard the new Rega - sounds like it is rolled off a bit on top with great bass (not too much, just very good). Don't worry about the rated power with this either - plenty of current to get the job done.
I'm not much of a 'specification' guy, but in describing the speakers, the 1 thing which would help and was NOT listed was sensitivity / efficiency. Listing the wattage of a speaker is, in general, meaningless.

Now, if you want to integrate a 2ch / HT system, an integrated with HT bypass may be useful. Also, my PSAudio integrated, from the GCC series has a set of preamp outputs which could be used to feed a HT receiver w/2ch music. I use these outputs to feed a sub.

And as a matter of convenience / ease of use, you may want to avoid tubes, if as you say, you are 'in the middle of nowhere'......All you need is to have to solve a problem via the mail or over the phone. SS has the edge in overall UPTIME of gear. Yes, there are exceptions, but unless you are willing to learn lots about tubes and go thru the learning curve............
Best to find a dealer that will accommodate 'loans' otherwise you will truly not know what your present system signature will create.