I can't help you with your speaker selection, but about the need for a pre-amp. unless you are referring to a phono pre amp, you'll not need one. An integrated amp is, by definition, an amp and a pre-amp in a single chassis. If you were referring to a phono pre, then it depends on which integrated you choose and how particular you are about analog sound. Some integrateds do include MM phono stages. Generally, however, they're inferior to free standing phono pre-amps.

Best of luck with your shopping,

The B-25 isn't good for the money, it's better than that. If it were $800 it would be good for the money. At around half that, it's the best all around performer that kind of money can buy.

If you click on the "reviews" tab at the top of the page and then click on "bookshelf" speakers, you'll find Robert Reyna's review of this little gem. Actually, it's a big gem.

I'm very familiar with this speaker and couldn't offer much that Reyna didn't cover in his review or that JA didn't flush out with his bench tests.

If you buy new and factor in a pair of stands, you'll be just under your budget. They mate well with just about anything so your amplifier selection shouldn't be problematic.

Hi Ryan.
Welcome to the forum and good luck with your search. Cheapskate and Monty offer great advice; they've been very helpful to me in the past, as well.

You can find some reviews here:
PSB Image B25
PSB Image 4T
NHT Classic Three
Polk LSi7