Totem Dreamcatchers integrated amp, under $1000.

You may be able to find a nice Arcam integrated amp within your budget. I've heard wonderful music with original Totem Model One's driven by an Arcam integrated. Have fun.

I agree with the statement that Rotel can be forward and harsh.

So are you saying you're looking for a $1K integrated, or an integrated plus DAC for $1K? What are you DACing--CDs, computer files, network streaming?

The most astounding <$1K integrated amp I've heard is the Marantz PM8004. It was in a demo powering a $10K pair of Sonus Faber Cremona M floorstanding speakers. Its control over bass lines was fast and absolute. Its overall tonality, timing, perceived linearity, and especially musicality was exemplary. In short, the speakers sounded like they were being powered by an expensive stack of separates.

This is the lowest price amp in Marantz's Reference Series. They have a separate factory for these products in Japan. The other Reference Series amps are much more expensive and have a different model number designation. They are designed by longtime Marantz designer Ken Ishiwata in the Netherlands (going back to when Marantz was owned by Philips). Reviews indicate that even the built-in phono preamp is excellent. The amp is rated at 70/100 watts into 8/4 ohms but sounds much bigger. It's not just higher highs, lower lows, tighter bass, and more transparent midrange; this Marantz has that more elusive quality of being able to draw you into the music time after time.

The PM8004 lists at $999 but factory refurbs can sometimes be had for less at accessories4less.com or vanns.com. If you buy locally, maybe you can haggle a deal for the amp plus a low cost DAC for your target figure. It was a 2012 Absolute Sound Editor's Choice. Review here. And here's a recent A-gon review.

For integrated amp with built-in DAC for $1K, there's the Peachtree Decco65, It's a DAC and intgrated amp with tubed buffer stage all in one. As a DAC it offers asynchronous USB, two coaxial, and one Toslink input plus one pair of analog inputs. It puts out 65/95 wpc into 8/4 ohms.

Although the Marantz doesn't have a built-in DAC, it's more versatile in certain ways, particularly with phono and multiple analog inputs.

08-09-13: Bob_reynolds
As always with integrated amps, I suggest you look for units that allow complete separation of the preamp and amp sections. Most NAD models provide this functionality.

Both the Marantz PM8004 and Peachtree Decco65 have preamp-out jacks. Peachtree even makes a 220 wpc power amp to work with their integrateds.

You also may not need pre-outs if the subwoofer has speaker level inputs. Some of mine do, some don't.