Affordable integrated pure class A?

b) that takes a lot of time

Hobbies tend to do that.

Or are you supposed to max out your card

Been there. Don’t recommend it. ☹️

Or just do your research . . . knowing that the system is going to be so much better than anything you’ve owned . . .

Final answer. After purchasing your system, never visit an audio website again. It’s like stopping by to say hi to your former dealer. They always have great new stuff that you got to try.

I'm hoping it's more of a one time purchase than a hobby - like purchasing the best washer/dryer for me :D. I want to get back to the hobby of music enjoyment. 

Get a used Sugden integrated if you really want affordable class A. They have been in business a long time and service what they have sold. Very reliable.

Not a lot of power so they need fairly efficient speakers.

Generally, a class A/B all tube amp sounds far better than most SS amps for comparable money, and one with Pentode/Triode switching will generally sound even better than that, and there are a lot of options for those including relatively inexpensive Primalunas to more pricey Rogers High Fidelity amps...and many in between. Not sure if anybody makes a tube single ended integrated amp, but although generally requiring efficient speakers, that could be even better sounding than most other options.

@wolf_garcia 

Line Magnetic and some others make integrated SET amps, but not in the OP’s price range.