looking for a new pre/amp or integrated amp

I have not seen any integrated amplifier that has an Ethernet input except for the Auralic Polaris which does not have XLR inputs and is outside your budget .  It is mostly streaming devices that use Ethernet.

 Once you move your computer closer to your system why not use the USB output from the computer to the amplifier. Any integrated with a built in DAC will have that option. The Parasound Halo integrated checks off all of your boxes that way,  but no Ethernet. They are regularly listed for less than $2K used. Good luck!

The only integrated amp that I am aware of that does everything you need is the Anthem str and it is way out of your budget.

A friend told me that to put the amp and computer on the same network through a wired connection, I should use ethernet.  Joey54....are you saying I can accomplish the same task with USB?

Yes, most DAC’s don’t have an Ethernet input anyway. Today USB is one of the most popular inputs for DAC’s when you want to play music stored on your computer. I believe the maximum distance supported by USB is 5M.

Ethernet is used to connect your network to a streaming device like my Aurender N100H. But most of these devices then need to connect to an external USB DAC. The Bluesound Vault mentioned earlier needs an Ethernet connection but also has a built in DAC. It does not have an amplifier built in though.

Why not just get a hard drive and connect it to your network via wifi and then usb to amp? Or get the hegel I mentioned which has ethernet and airplay and get a phono stage