Newbie building modest system ...what amp?

McCormack is a great chice with Vandies. However, I too suggest you sell the adcom and get an integrated, or if you can swing it, separates, but IMO the adcom will be the weak link. You dont want your pre amp to be the weak link.

The old McCormacks are great in that price range. I would suggest you consider a good passive volume control, like a Promitheus REF 4 to go with the McCormacks. The unmodified McCormacks have a very high input impedence and play well even with resistor based passives. No issues at all with a transformer volume control like the Promethius. For 1100-1200 I think that combo will get you more than any integrated I know of in that price range. I believe McCormacks also are nice with Vandies.

i recently had three amps around this price range in my system at the same time - mccormack ht1 and 0.5 both smc modified and a macintosh mc7100. all were very good and exceeded my expectations, but the macintosh was definitely the best of the bunch. it’s an excellent sounding amp, and for the prices they sell for used (generally around $900), it’s an absolute steal.

Look for a Forte Model 4, 5 or 6.

I have had McCormack DNA125, Forte 4A and Classe 100. Personally I liked the Classe best. A HiFi tuning fuse in the Classe made for a nice upgrade.