Search for miracle integrated

Thanks inna, Rowland is a very interesting option and it seems to check most of the boxes. I don't know much about the brand but I'll have to do my research on it. I wonder how it compares to the moon 600i for example? Thanks for putting the brand on my radar!

Thanks akg_ca and Spencer,

Well there is a local dealer that is willing to give me a GREAT deal on Revel and Wilson is just a brand I've been able to hear multiple times so I know how they sound. I'm pretty sold on the crescendos or the Vandersteen (leaning 60% to Crescendos, 30% to Vandy, 8% to Revel and 2% to Wilson... not to get to technical lol). But yeah you are right about the speakers and I have to do more listening before I drive the decision 100%. I love the idea of transmission line and I've had a chance to hear a couple examples and was very impressed. So anyway it's basically between the Vandy's and AZs.

A couple reasons for the integrated. They seem to be a pretty good value over separates and an integrated takes up less space. I'm sharing my 20 X 15 listening room with my office (not that big of a deal but still). I also wonder if having the wiring and circuitry closer together in an integrated actually produces a better end result as there is less distance for the signal to travel. So those are the reasons. Exceptions are absolutely possible to the integrated rule :)

One other note that shouldn't play a role but does- aesthetics are very important. If I'm spending that type of money I don't want it to look like a toaster. It's picky I know but there seem to be a lot of good options that look good.

Spencer- what is ASR? I've never heard of the brand and my google search didn't help me too much.

Thanks for the awesome recommendations! I love the idea of the LIO but I wish it was stronger on the wattage side. PASS is definitely an option, I also like the idea of YBA- the passion integrated seems very cool and can be purchased without a DAC. 

I know it is a little over the budget but I wonder about the continuum 2, it is a class D which I frankly don't know much about but would that be worth $10k over a used concentrate 2 for $4k? I think I need to listen to this integrated if I can. I hate that about the support, very unfortunate...

Thanks for that input fossda I also have heard great things about the 600i, I need to audition it. It checks all the boxes for me (except I don't think I can bi-amp with it but I could be wrong). I have also read some great reviews talking about a particular topic and out of the blue they use the 600i as an example of how it is done right.

LOL that is funny Spencer but it makes sense! I'm drawn to the cosmetics of it for sure but part of the money has to go to that. I Love the idea of the LIO- fantastic idea but is 25 wpc enough for a 6 or 8 ohm load with a 90 db effeciency speaker? I literally don't know as I've always been told two thing: 1. You only need 5 watts to really power speakers and 2. You need 100-150 wpc as it improves performance of the 5 watts being used. Lol I probably have it wrong- as everyone can tell I am no expert and am still learning but the question becomes is 25 watts enough for a speaker that claims it needs a 50 watt minimum source? My hope is yes because that opens up a lot of options...

The musical fidelity seems to be a nice amp, very nice actually!

It is not a bad idea to do the speakers first. I wanted to see how good I can get my legacy classics to sound by improving the signal upstream. Even with my current NAD integrated (I think it is the BEE 356) I feel like I'm getting pretty close to maxing out the capability of those speakers. My listening room sounds sooo good right now and that is with a less than ideal amp. I'm really leaning to the AZ's so another reason for the amp first is the money. I don't want to drop $18k this year on Hifi it is just not in the budget so I'm thinking amp first then speakers soon after. 

I tried to google the LSA but couldn't find anything. Is that short for something? As long as there is enough power I'm completely open to tube and hybrid systems. 

Great point simao a call to Robert Lee makes a ton of sense! 

Glad to hear that about the LIO amp, if 25 watts is enough it is definitely a great option and to be honest it is under budget which gets me to the Crescendos even faster. Thanks so much for all the input!!!

I thought about the Rangarok but there is one problem- no remote... I'm controlling the amp from my desk which is about 10 feet away so I need a remote for volume etc.

As far as going the wrong way, I've always heard if you know the end speaker, go from the top of the stream down. Right now I do think the speaker is the weakest link but if I keep trucking with the direction of the source I'm expecting the final speaker purchase will have me hearing the greatest difference... So I save the best for last That way. I think I need to audition some 25W tube amps and see how they drive harder to handle speakers. How is the bass on the LIO? 

It might sound ridiculous but for around $9k would the vinnie rossie amp/pre-amp combo drive most other $9k combinations out of the water? That be more than enough power to drive anything. It does move me away from integrated but would it be worth it I wonder? 

The company seems to appeal to me as I love that they spend practically nothing on marketing and reviews seem very strong. No BS, just good sounding components. I took a chance with the $2.3k Yggy and was very happy but is a $9k gamble too much? Lol the sound would definitely have to be better than the 600i for me to consider that option.

Thanks everyone for all the feedback it has been tremendously helpful! Here is my new short list (not in order):

Pass INT-150
Perreaux E'Loquence 150i
Vinnie Rossie LIO
CODA CSiB
Modwright kwi 200
AR VSI75 might also be a consideration
Possibly Schiit's integrated if they add a remote. 

also I have officially removed Wilson and Revel from my speaker list. It is between Vandersteen (40%) and AZ (60%). RMAF is in less than a week so there might be some great new options on the horizon! 

Thanks to everyone for all your input. A very interesting turn of events has taken place at RMAF- Schiit is going to offer a 400w monoblock amp fully balance and A/B into 8ohm for $700 each.. That's Nuts!!! A new pre-amp also at $700 is joining the lineup. I'm going to add both of those to the list if reviews are good. The challenge is that they are not integrated but at that price it might be time to buy a new audio rack and have an all Schiit setup.