If my Musical Fidelity integrated were to die, I'd be listening to the Creek Audio 5350SE and (assuming I could talk my wife into accepting "those ugly exposed tubes") the Cayin A-50T. If I couldn't arrange to hear them both in my room, I'd go for the Creek which is right at the $1500 line. Been a while since I've heard the Creek, but at the time it made me wish I needed an amp.

The Panache certainly has its virtues, but it still sounds like a passive preamp design...much like many Creek integrateds. I liked, as opposed to loved, the Panache. It was the most quiet and coolest running amp I've ever used...even pushing out the power she ran cool to the touch.

If someone really loved their source component, the Panache would let them hear it without any additional signature.

Personally, I found the Pass Aleph 3 + a cheap preamp that was built into my DAC to be better in my own system than any integrated I've yet heard. However, since you did ask, where I come from the Red Wine Audio Signature 30 gets some amazing reviews; it does not have a preamp stage, but most people run it without one anyway, and say that it works best that way.

What do you think the answer to this question is in July of 2013?

http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/anthem_integrated_225.htm

http://www.digitaltrends.com/amplifier-reviews/anthem-integrated-225-review/

http://www.avguide.com/review/tested-anthem-integrated-225-integrated-amplifier

http://hometheaterreview.com/anthem-225-integrated-amplifier-reviewed/

http://stereos.about.com/od/reviewsandrecommendations/fr/Anthem225.htm

Looks like a winner!

Anyone else? Best integrated amp under $1500?

IMO the best is the Musical Fidelity M3i Integrated amplifier.

You can get it for $1499 from Music Direct.

Or You could buy mine for $800. It is like new and an excellent amplifier. A very good deal for someone.

I have to sell one of my homes and am liquidating two stereo systems, so i have a lot of surplus gear that is excellent (although most of it has already been sold recently...going going....).

Check the classifieds at AVS Forum if interested, or send me a PM here for more info.