... and over the top power supplies wreak havoc on low level preamp signals and negate any benefit from "direct" connections’. One reason why most top-end preamps have separate power supplies.
Are integrated amps technically better than separates?
I'm assuming we are talking same class of amplifier and the integrated has the features you want. I'm thinking the integrated could actually be an improvement over separates due to being a more "direct" connection. Taking away the flexibility factor of separates, is my line of thinking correct?