Integrated with Phono Stage under $10K

I would consider a seperate phono section with this budget.I personally like SS phono's into a tube integrated or vice versa but you are limiting yourself if you have to have it in one box.If the Redwine does it why not get a Isabella pre and Redwine 30 (or two 70's).That touch of tubes might do it for you.Then you have enough to get a KILLER phono stage.Hell for $100 I would want separates but a used ASR Emitter and and EAR 324 phono section is what I'd want.If you were just looking for a pre with phono no limit to choices.but you limit yourself with Int (though I am sure that Gryphon is killer-don't know Copland and never liked VAC as much as some for $$ like Cary).
Chazz

I haven't heard the Copland or the Gryphon, but I currently own a VAC Avatar Super, and I'm very happy with it, though I do use a SS outboard phono stage as Chazz recommends. The internal phono section is pretty decent, but it wasn't good enough for me to sell my outboard stage.
The best SS integrated that I've owned with phono stage was a Jeff Rowland Concentra II. Personally I liked the Pass Labs INT-150 and Karan KA I-180 better, but neither one of those had a phono stage.

McIntosh MA2275 and BAT VK-300xSE are also two very good integrated amps with phono stages.

Cheers,
John

Ooh, the Luxman is sexy in an old school way - worth considering. Thanks for the multiple recommendations, John, I'll investigate.

Cary, I'm trying to focus on reducing components and getting a smaller footprint. I'd love nothing more than to have a full setup with RWA Isabella, 70.2 monoblocks and a Sutherland PhD phono stage, but space is limited. This is about compromise of space with minimal compromise of sound.

I've heard the Luxman 590A and 550A II with Devore 9's and both were great. The 550 is roughly half the price of the 590 (~5K vs. ~10K) and doesn't run nearly as hot (I could have fried an egg on the 590) so that was a plus. I heard the two in different rooms with different cables and front ends, so can't do A/B, but didn't think the 590 was twice as good. I hear the 550's phono stage vs. a simaudio LP 5.3 and the onboard phono heald up very well. It was maybe a touch less authorative in the bass, and the soundstage was a tad smaller over all, but considering you save 1500 on an outboard phono plus a PC and a pair of IC's, it seems an okay trade-off, if you're looking for convenience first. There are a lot of options on the Luxman that allow you to tailor the sound, and I found that very appealing.

I know that abouthifi.com listened to the Luxman 550A II with Proac D18s and found it a very good match. It should have plenty of power for either of your intended speakers. It EASILY drove the Devores.

The problem is that if you've heard a good outboard phono stage, it's hard to find an integrated (or preamp for that matter) that will have a better-sounding onboard stage. The Luxman, so far, is the closest I've come to this. The issue is that the phono stage doesn't have any loading options; it does, however, let you use MC or MM (I think, off hand, MC is 100 ohm and .3mv, so covers a lot of MC).

Some people have liked the Plinius and said it has a good phono section--I didn't find it to be to my liking. The McIntosh 6600 is actually a very good sounding amp, though it get's no press, but its phono stage isn't up to snuff. The Bat is a good amp with a decent phono stage, but I prefer the Luxman.

If you do get an outboard phono stage then maybe take a look at the Pass INT-30A, which I haven't heard but am dying to. I did hear the INT-150 extensively and have heard the 30 amp, and have a feeling the INT-30A will be a nice match, but what do I know! That or Luxman, which I am seriously considering buying.

The Vac Avatar is excellent. I have an Avatar Super and I love it.