Opinions on best integrated under 10k?

David,
Yes I realise the Lyngdorf 2170 is going to be a hard act to follow after the flexibility I have gained from it.
After all this is what I am doing with it right now and what ANY prospective amp will have to match.


GoldNote ph10 phono into xlr input
Nakamichi 582 tape into rca input
Pioneer dv79 into rca input
Bluesound Vault into spdif
Samsung TV into toslink
Samsung bluray into toslink
Analog out set to run a pair of subs
Digital out set to headphone running into an el cheapo digital to rca analog converter box to feed Schiit Magni 2 headphone amp. ( this actually sounds MUCH better than when I was running the analog out direct to the Magni 2 oddly enough)

A lot to ask for indeed I know.

Do you have to sell the 2170 to fund this purchase? You could always use the 2170 as a preamp, since it already has everything you need and run it with a nice tube amp.

Hard to find a tube integrated with the digital inputs you’re wanting. My other thought would be to look at pre/dacs and and pair with a tube amp.

If I could up my spending a bit more, I would go for a Mytek Manhattan II with a BAT VK-56.

Actually that is not the worse idea I have heard for sure. A real pity the 2170 does not have two sets of analog outputs.
If it did just trying a tube power amp could be worthwhile.
But with just the one set I would then lose the outputs I am using for the subs right now.
And I am really trying to avoid going backwards to the separate pre/DAC and power amp route again.

I'm still wanting a Mark Levinson 585 integrated, but I wish it had XLR outputs.  It only has rca outs.  The reason is that, if I got it, I would want to compare the 585 alone to the 585 outputs going into my Krell class A power amp and see what the difference would be.  And I would want to use XLR connections in the comparison, but cannot do that with the 585.

I'd love to simplify things and go with an integrated, but people here and elsewhere are telling me I'll regret giving up my Krell class A power amp. 

@uberwaltz Can you relax your requirement for XLR connections? If you do find a product with these connectors (wrt. what you are looking for) they are likely not going to be true balanced anyways.

That’s the first requirement I’d eliminate.

An integrated DAC (or DAC module) is also a bottleneck and will really limit your choices. I’m glad @audiotroy brought up Synthesis. I was thinking that the Italian marque(s) would be your best bet, given your goals.

All the best with your search.