Best integrated for $500?

Asking your question on this forum is sort of like asking a fashion designer forum who makes the strongest shoe strings.

I think you need to look (listen) hard at your local brick and mortar electronics store and you may be pleasantly surprised by something with a household brand name. You might also be surprised how well your existing Onkyo performs against audiophile brand name components.

All that is not to say that I don't really appreciate the cool factor of some of the components already suggested in this thread. I just think that when you want excellent amplification for low investment, the efficiently mass produced receivers are the way to go.

Or, you could buy a Nad or Arcam:).

Have a listen to the Yamaha A-S500? WhatHiFi had only good things to say. Buy.com has a great price on it. I would also check out the Rega Brio 3.

Audio Refinement Complete. Very stable at 4 ohms, rated 50 to 8 and 90 to 4. Neutral, solid bottom, grainless on top.

Used jolida 302

Thanks to all for your suggestions and grounded recommendations. @Jeff_Jones, you're right in that the bigbox mass-produced receivers (like the one I have - which earned good reviews when it came out) probably would do just as well as almost any similarly priced high-end integrated. Still, I can't help but be seduced by the allure of a high-end name integrated.

@Arni - thanks for a comprehensive review and suggestion. No confusion at all, but a lot of ideas. In fact, with the Rotel 1072 (which I just got on audiogon), I'm not even sure I need the OBH-14 anymore. It was formerly hooked to a NAD c521 cd player that finally bit the bullet.

Everyone else, I'm researching the names and possibilities you brought up. Thanks again!

s