Hey Grant,
I respect your respecting the dealers. Very honorable. That's why we have Audiogon to buy used, right? Have you narrowed down your choice of integrateds yet? I just shared another e-mail with Kevin Hayes at VAC. He has been amazing with his prompt replies to my questions. He told me that his new VAC Auricle Musiblocs I just bought have essentially the same amplifier circuitry as the Avatar Super integrated. I got a gut feeling that he's about to introduce an all new Avatar. Have you considered maybe changing to speakers that might not be so power hungry? It might give you a better choice of integrateds. I just bought Joseph Chow's new preamplifier and I'm chomping on the bit in anticipation. I also recently bought his Premium power cord($195.00) and it's been one of those "Oh..my.. God" jaw-dropping experiences.