Best Integrated Amp, Price no obstacle?

The Musical Fidelity kW 500 has considerable virtues, but it is not a one-box integrated. No space saving there; it comes with a massive outboard power supply.

The Sugden Masterclass is $6K, but it is a real gem.

If you'd like to experience a traditional tube sound, and if cost is truly no object, the VAC Phi Beta would be an insteresting option, at almost $20k (!). I have owned VAC gear in the past and actually considered this when putting together my current, cost no object system. Of course if $20k is too much, the VAC Avatar Super features some of the same technology, but at about 1/4 the price.

Vac Phi Beta

And in this corner: All the way from Japan, weighing in at trim 103 lbs..... and still the undisputed integrated champion of the woooooorld! The Audio Note Ongaku. Floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee!

I'm going to receive my Jungson 88D LE integrated ($1700) today. Class A 80 watt into 8 ohms (160 watts into 4 ohms) and looks great. Don't let the price fool you, build quality is on par or better with the best American and European integrated. Search A-gon for more info.

The Musical Fidelity VK500 is damn good with 500 watts and phono to boot. It has a few small tubes in the pre amp section and is otherwise SS. I have heard the Rowland Concentra II and it is a little grainy and romantic in comparison. The Levinson 383 is grainy and flat and does not compare to either.

I preferred the YBA Passion top to bottom over the JRDG Concentra II. 100 wholesome tuby SS watts. The Passion is, certainly, not one of your popular integrateds. Maybe it's the $5k +. I love mine....warren :-)

Edge Electronics makes a great integrated unit in their G series.

Anyone compared Rowland Concerto with the older Concentra I or II?

I'm the only one around here that mentions Sugden.
They have a high end Integrated called the Masterclass. Runs in Class A.
I compared alot of amps and this one is superb, especially for the music you prefer.
I consider it the Rolls Royce of Integrated amps.
Around $5000.

I would look at Gryphon ( one listed now on the gon ) or MBL 7008 in solid state, Jadis has a stunning line of Integrateds with I beleive the DA60 being the reference model. On a funnier note Bossjay is try to unload a D&K which he considers to be the finest integrated ever created.

Jeff Rowland Concerto (Latest generation of JRDG integrateds. 250 watts into 8 ohms. Very compact,very cool running, specifically by design. After 200 hours or so of run in, the sound has very pleasing,easy quality to it with no trace of ss brightness or harshness. The only other integrated with which I have experience and might be considered an alternative is the Plinius 9200, which, while accomplished in it's own way, it not in the same league as the Concerto.

I would highly recommended Primare I30. Consider it's price, one of the best. It's a killer, will beat even separates three time it's price.
You can find it for about $1500-1800 used.
Check this link: http://www.sumikoaudio.net/primare/products/i30.htm

I would look at the Dehavilland IOS, depending on your speakers' requirments, this tube amp may be very hard to beat.