Recommendations for a integrated amp

DeKay

I appreciate your concern. I have set a price point on upgrading my amplification to a point where I can audition variety of speakers(if time and budget permits). I dont know what the outcome would be with another amp and the Triangles. However, like I mention in my previous post, I will eventually upgrade in the future with other speakers.

We're you referring a 4k budget that includes both amplification and speakers? It is not a bad idea and would still sound better then what I have. However,  I will still limit myself to certain upgrades.

I bought a naim supernait2 used on here for $2300 about 7years ago and picked up neat xplorers for $1950 recently from audiogon. That’s slightly over $4k, and imo an incredibly impressive combo for the non audiophile enthusiast that I am. I also have a DAC (denafrips Pontus) that I purchased new. Point being I have an integrated amp that retails for $5k (for the newer model) and speakers that retail for $5k and the combo exhilarates me every day. Just upgrade both rather than have some massively imbalanced setup. I had the naim powering neat motive sx2s before upgrading and it felt painfully restrained.  And the motives are about 2k new.

"We're you referring a 4k budget that includes both amplification and speakers?"

Yes, as finding a nice amp/speaker combo is quite feasible within that budget.

Having looked up your location (I'm in CA as well) I understand that auditioning gear is not a simple task.

The only dealer I'm aware of that is sort of close to you is Gene Rubin Audio who is south of Santa Cruz).

I also assume that the "USB input" requirement will be a limiting factor, but if it's big on the wish list you might look for a used PS Audio Sprout100 (read up on it) that sells in the $400-$500 range (hey other people suggested amps).

DeKay

DeKay

Another on the short list is the musical fidelity M6Si. A beast and its rival I think is the Hegel 390.  Both should prove contenders.  

@dekay I appreciate your comment. I like the idea of a matched combo set that will work with needs. I am in the central California area and finding a dealer near in the area a rare. I would have to drive at least 3 hours for an audition. As with USB input, I intend further down the road to get an external DAC/Streamer .

@polkalover I was, in some point, was looking at Musical Fidelity M6si.