old newbie

I had Vandersteen 1C's for a time and paired it with NAD Cd player and integrated amp - very nice for about $1000 new. WElcome back!

I had 1Bs years ago and loved 'em! Truly one of the great bargains in audio. I'm a Jolida fan these days and I bet one of their integrateds would sound great...and 1Bs are efficient.

I enjoyed my Vandersteen 1C"s for many years .... first driven by a beautiful Arcam Delta 90 integrated amplifier, and then by my current Rogue Audio Cronus. In your price range, you may want to seriously look at the present day Arcam gear..... maybe a very nice synergy ! Good Luck, and welcome back !

I also had the 1C's. Even though they're not too expensive, they are very detailed and revealing. Because of that, its very important to match your components correctly. I would recommend a Creek 5350SE (Either the old or new version. It doesn't matter.

The main reason I would pick the Creek is for the pre amp section. Its passive. I feel its very hard to find a good active preamp in your price range, let alone as part of an integreated. The passive preamp will allow you to get around some of the problems you run into at your price point.

Also, the 1's are very easy to drive. You can use just about anything. The amp in the Creek is more than enough.

I've owned the Linn and it's decent, but not decent enough for the Vandies.

Integrated/cd player is the route. Used, an Audio Refinement Compete integrated paired with a Rega Apollo R would very much suprise you. Later add an external DAC as the Rega is a very decent stand alone, but a terrific transport.