2. amps-preamps
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After years of separates, I'm going integrated. Anyone else do the same?

I'm rethinking my listening room. I want my audio rack to be more minimalist vs lots of boxes, wires, and clutter. I know separates, in general, will sound better. However, at the level of my system, I'm not certain the difference would be as apparent. In the grand scheme of things of Audiophilia, my level of components are mid-fi at best (BHK Pre, First Watt J2, Elac PPA-2 phono, Pro-ject s2 Dac, ZU Omen Defs)

I'm favoring one of the Luxman Class A's (I know Luxman is getting out of the Class A business. The only way I would favor a built-in Dac is if it were upgradable like McIntosh or Accuphase. I'm guessing a Luxman or Mac built-in phono would sound just as good as to what I have now (Elac PPA-2).

So the question is, who else has gone to integrated? Do you regret the move or are you glad you did?

 

aberyclark

Showing 2 responses by rbstehno

rbstehno
1,406 posts
 

Eugene81-every audio piece that I have owned or have heard the combined multiple components in them like a dac or phono stage have always been a compromise. It seems the manufacturers think giving you 75% of the sound quality of their best standalone dac/phono preamp is good enough in an integrated. If that’s ok with the buyer then all is good.

rbstehno
1,406 posts
 

I tried doing that a few years ago. Went with highly regarded integrateds at the time and they sounded very good until I needed more power for bigger speakers, then I went back to separates.

What I found out with integrated amps (and this comes from the manufacturers that I have talked too at shows) and that is integrated amps are compromised compare to their separate offerings. If that is all you are looking for, then go for it. For example, the Hegel integrateds have a built in dac, but when you compare the integrated dac to their standalone dac, there is no comparison.

You have a nice sounding preamp, why not just upgrade your dac and phono pieces to match the quality of your preamp

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