201011_karanPrice: $10,500

Website: www.karan-acoustics.com

Michael said: It’s hard for me to admit that an integrated amplifier could be worth $10,500, but in this instance I must. Is the KA I 180 as good as Karan Acoustics’ separates? No. But it does provide a portion of what’s possible at that next level of performance without the buyer having to pay the prohibitive prices of Karan separates.

Read the SoundStage! Hi-Fi review.

The gist: Integrateds are getting better and better.