check out peachtree idecco. Hybrid tube pre/power/dac.
I don't want something with an iPod/iPhone dock on it because the connectors change, and I'd like to have something that will have longevity far beyond whatever the most recent lightning/40pin/USB connector might be.
I would like to get a DAC that is external to the amp/integrated amp. If the DAC is in a preamp I would be fine with that, but I think separates would end up costing more.
For the rest of it, I would keep it simple. Keep the audio and video separate. Any gear that is designed for more than 2 channels would be a waste. Starting with video, if your TV has enough HDMI inputs for all of your sources, you're done. If not, just buy a switcher.
I'm not sure I understand. I don't want multichannel. I just want 2 channel, but I do want to get the audio from my video devices to my system because I definitely won't have space for two systems and I don't want to purchase a sound bar or just use the built in speakers on the TV.
Does the HDMI switcher sound like a bad idea? I've found a few that have RCA outputs, but I worry that the output quality will be poor. I know there are some pre amps with HDMI input that have built in DAC. The NAD Master M51 and Linn Majik both have this, but they happen to be in a completely different area code (or maybe country code) from my price range.
In your price range, I like NAD because they give you a lot of options.
Back in the 90's when I had the Vandersteen 1Bs I had an NAD 304 and an NAD 502 CD Player. I did enjoy the NAD sound then and I could see myself doing that now. However, I really would prefer tubes because I like the tube warmth more, I feel it really falls in line with my desire to focus this system (eventually) on vinyl, and I shamelessly want it to look really cool. I am completely open to the idea of picking up some sort of older NAD integrated as a temp solution and then moving it into the bedroom to pair with the RA Labs Black Gold Mini References that I have sitting in a closet practically unused since about 1996.
they are a bit lower than you want to go, lol.
I don't know what you mean by lower. Price? Power?
I might be interested, but I didn't see them listed on here for sale. Links?
--Thank you all for your assistance. I really do appreciate it--
I was thinking about maybe a Jolida integrated? Maybe I can find one used in my price range?
The biggest secondary issue is getting the output from the apple tv/roku/bluray to the inputs.