Integrated amp for less than$2500,your suggestion

All you SS guys should really, really, really check out a well designed tubed pre/amp or integrated.

You really can't get that kind of musicality, warmth, smoothness in solid state unless you're talking 5digits, and I don't mean to the right of the decimal.

I heard the Old Integre DT, and, while it is a neat looking, great sounding piece, I would NEVER describe it as warm.

Now, Dr. Simon:
You took a chance on the Tjoeb, and I bet you preferred it?

Why is that?

Thanks Gthirteen. Like to know about the sonic characteristics of Old Integre DT(stands for ?)and where can I find one? well, I would propably get Heart6000 if I had knew months earlier. It was simply my first Tube-drive CDP upgarde from my 10 yrs old Philips850mkII and I am satisfied with Tjoeb4000.Please tell me more if you have additional opinion and suggestions and thanks in advance
Simon

Thanks Egoss,and sorry for delay in getting back to you.Please tell me about the sonic characteristics of the amp.Hopefully this would be a significant upgrade from my NADC370,although with smaller power(wattage)
regards
Simon

I had the YBA Integre', and was very satisfied. I sold that and bought a McIntosh MA-6500. This will be a keeper. It is perhaps the best piece of audio gear I've ever owned.

Superb sound, powerful, beautiful, and fantastic function.

Hope this helps and best of luck,
Bennett

Bennett, I'm just curious. Since you owned the Integre and seemed very happy with it, did you investigate (listen to) the Integre's big brother: the Passion. That was the move I made. Integre to Passion. What did you like better about the Mac? I listened to almost everything out there, and the Passion, for me, was hands down the winner over just about everything out. I've owned the Passion for 5 months, now, and I...hey, what can I say: I feel as you do--peace, warren