Best integrated amp for 10K

Can someone explain why the cult following with the Quads and Atma-Sphere. I'm surprised to consider the Atma-Sphere OTL ideal at all, considering the Quads have impedance fluctations from 4 - 15 ohms - not exactly what I think an OTL would like to see.
My take on the Atma-Sphere 'sound' is that it is very fast with lots of transparency, but not sufficient dynamics and meat on the bones.

Also, how important is having Class A vs. Class AB. Obviously there is no crossover distortion with Class A, so how do VAC and others get around this with such success?
Does this give units like the Ayon Triton III and Luxman L-590AX a theoretical advantage from the start?

I thought all Ayon Audio is made in Austria. Is the Triton III an exception?

Two other terrific integrateds you could consider if you're prepared to stretch would be a Simaudio 700i & Boulder 865 @ around 12k.

In regard to Class A vs Class AB integrated amps, solid state Class A integrateds won't have enough power to drive your Quads, so it's not really worth discussing. Class A/B amps can sound linear and very good if there are a good number of watts in Class A & the designer was successful in notching out any audible crossover distortion. I know that Boulder go to great efforts to notch out crossover distortion & their measured linearity suggests that is so. Edgar Kramer reviewed the 865 for AVHub including a comprehensive lab report which is worth a read.

Ayon Audio build their top ranging gear in Austria which is terrific (eg: CD-2s, CD-5s), however the Triton (and lower range gear) are made in thier factory in Hong Kong with Taiwanese-assembled boards. Have a look at these two links which confirm this -

(Preamble: If the US Ayon Distributor is trolling AG for negative commentary on Ayon components as usual. Don't shoot the messenger. I did NOT write these reviews)..
http://www.highfidelity.pl/@main-212&lang=en
http://highfidelity.pl/@main-215&lang=en

Have you considered the matching Quad Classic II? I believe it falls below you budget