If you are to choose Linn Majik, you would get very "laid-back" but detailed sound. Majik is very musical too, if matched with right components. It is upgradable, so you can use it solely as an amp, with separate pre-amp. Or it can be used also, as a pre-amp(i've heard good results matchimg Majik pre-Pass aleph 3 amp).I have Majik over three years. Only upgrade i had is in replacing the "jumpers" with "silver AQ" and AC cord with API 313. The "soundstage" have detailed reviews on: Majik, Audio Refinement, Audio Analog Puccini...also all three were "stereophile" class B. You might also consider Sonic Frontiers integrated 2 used around 1k? Good Luck!
Best Integrated amp 'around' $1000???
I'm curious what people think the best integrated amp in the $1000 or so retail range is. It seems the short list is Linn Majik, AR Complete, AA Puccini, Roksan (Kandy/Caspian?), Sim I-5080, Maybe Jolida. Let me know what I'm missing and what your experiences in this $$ range have been. Thanks.