Integrated amp for Usher Be-718?

Sounds like you're tastes are pretty much in line with mine, but your budget is higher. You might want to look into: Plinius 9200, Luxman L505u, Bel Canto Ref500M/Ref1000 MkII. Haven't heard them myself, but they've piqued my interest from what I've read. Luxman in particular makes very sweet amps, but pricey and hot pure class A circuitry.

Thanks, everyone. I went for the Jeff Rowland Concerto Integrated. Sounds terrific and exploits the full potential of the Ushers. I'm using a Weiss DAC 2, AudioQuest Mont Blanc 72V DBS, AudioQuest Sky XLR 72VDBS. Unfortunately I have to downgrade from Mont Blanc to CV8 but let's hope the difference is minor. Gonna tweak my laptop a little and acoustically treat the room (cheap style, of course but hopefully efficient). Happy listening. :)

Another vote for the Wyred4Sound STI 500. I've been using one for six months. Excellent all round. I'd also strongly recommend the matching stands from Usher for the 718s - big improvement over my old 30kg numbers, in looks and sound.
Good luck.

Bizango1, sounds like you love the STI500 even before it's notorious break-in of 300 hours! How has the sound changed if at all over time?
Thanks,
Art

Art, the sound made an interesting change. After a few months I realized that my listening chair was in the wrong position. After the amp broke in the soundstage changed and I had to move my chair back about a foot to enjoy the expanse of the sound that wasn't nearly as big as before. I kind of went from a nearfield listening setup to a taller, wider soundstage and a bit fuller and substantial sound without moving the speakers an inch or changing anything else in the room. A huge benefit of this amp is how good the music sounds at low volume even with the chair farther back-something I have never enjoyed before with any system. Now I can listen to music more often without disturbing my wife because I don't have to play it so loud. Scary to admit that I may be more than satisfied in the amp/speaker category and can move on to a music server.