Your speakers are already very good..and on top of that, they are rated at 90dB efficiency..meaning they will be pretty loud with even a modest 50 Watt amp.

(This opens up a WORLD of possibilities for you...there are literally dozens of good options).

My first question to narrow the choices down:

How big is the Listening room?

AND..

Do you know if you would prefer a tube based amp or a solid state?

At any rate, I would honestly peruse Stereophile's Recommended Components...and look at at least a Class B Integrated Amplifier. It will be hard to get a Class A gadget for $2,000...but I myself am quite content with my Class B Amplifier. (as awarded by Stereophile..not referring to the TYPE of amplifier..most will be of TYPE A/B...with some Class Type D or Hybrid).

Here are some noteable examples of Integrated Amplifiers I have heard good things about from fellow readers who own them over the months; as well as my own listed here:

1. Cambridge Audio Azur 851A: $1900 Class A/B (they call it Class XD) Solid State
2. Creek Evolution 50A: $1195 - Class A/B Solid State
3. Croft Phono Integrated: $1895 - Hybnrid Tube and CLass D Amplifier
4. Naim NAIT 5si: $1895 Class A/B Solid State
5. Peachtree Audio nova125SE: $1499 Class D Solid State
6. Rogue Sphinx: $1295 Class D Tube/Solid State hybrid
7. Arcam FMJ A19: $999 $$$ Solid State

All of these received Stereophile's Class B rating; with the exception of the Arcam FMJ Receiving a Class C. But do NOT let that dissuade you from the Arcam..they are also an excellent company and it is a very well received product. I have personally researched and considered each one before ultimately deciding on the Creek.

This list is just a start..within your budget...many of these already have DAC's built in and/or phono stages...while ALL of them are upgradeable with plugin DAC and/or PHONO modules at later dates; referring to your desire to be able to do so...they all offer that ability in one form or another.

You really and truly need to try to go to a shop and listen to a few in person if possible...if no shops are around you, then research a lot..read the Stereophile Reviews of these and any others that catch your eye...and take the plunge and order one! A company called Music Direct is infamous for their generous 60 day return policy to allow ample time to audition a component.

That should get you started in the right direction. And each one really and truly will sound different from another! This is a very difficult at times but always fun intellectual pursuit. Enjoy the journey!

I myself chose the Creek Evolution 50A.... I bought it for the $1195 from Music Direct after many many hours of research and reading what other readers have here on Stereophile..I do not have a local audio boutique unfortunately. This particular integrated is rated at 50Watts A/B and 85 Watts at 4 Ohm. It also has the ability to upgrade by adding 3 different phono stages, a tuner module, and/or a DAC/tuner combination module. I actually took the leap and ordered the DAC/tuner module and am generally very pleased...though I became somewhat addicted to the pursuit of even better digital music sound (files and CD's)..that I later upgraded again to a Bryston BDA-1 external DAC..which is in fact better than Creek's own internal module. However, the internal DAC still has a very good FM tuner and at $599, is worth it to to turn the unit into a Receiver.

Again, good luck with your journey and remember to ENJOY the process and just have fun.

Best Regards,

Ron

If you are considering moving to a larger room avoid the 50w amps on this list and consider a bit more power. Personally, I really like the Peachtree. The amp is fabulous and the quality of the DAC inside is spectacular. You would continue using your phono stage via the analog input. I am also a big fan of the Rogue Audio Sphinx. Those would be my first two choices on this list though they are all very good.

The room size may eliminate the lesser wattage amps...

Since you have a preamp, I suggest that you look at the Vincent SP-331 power amp, which Audio Advisor sells for $1399.

It was amplifier of the year by The Absolute Sound a couple of years ago, and pretty hard to equal for that price.

I think the OP has a ProJect TubeBox which is a phono preamp/stage, not a line preamp. This would make the Vincent incompatible without a separate line preamp.

bierfeldt wrote:

I think the OP has a ProJect TubeBox which is a phono preamp/stage, not a line preamp. This would make the Vincent incompatible without a separate line preamp.

Mmmmm...Good point.

Rogue Audio Sphinx should be great for you. If you're using a digital source, you can later add an Arcam iRdac.