Well this is just my experience. I have had some integrated amps valve and SS and not been very impressed, they all had problems of some kind. That is until I bought a Frank pram stereo 30 from 1961, it’s an EL84 push pull ultra-linear design . It is only 15 Watts per channel and the cost was less than £1000 though I have seen one since advertised at $2400. I was truly surprised at the sound quality and it’s ability to fill the room at quite modest volume levels. I have used it through my B&O speakers and through a pair of home made speakers and although different they both sounded very good. The B&O sounded best to my taste. So there are good integrated amps out there, how you find which ones is the real problem. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/frank-pram-30-watts-ultra-linear-stereo-tube-amplifier?highlight=Frank%2Bpram
Considering an integrated
I’ve been thinking about downsizing my system but am concerned about SQ. I would like to get an all in one integrated (or receiver). New or (slightly) used, tube or SS. It would need a built in phono section (LOMC) and a headphone amp/ jack. I have a budget of maybe up to $10k but would consider going higher if need be. I want to part with everything but my speakers (Zu Def 4), TT and CD player. Obviously I don’t need much power. My concern is mainly the phono section. Sound now is glorious with virtually no ticks or pops. Do you think it’s possible to achieve the same (or better) SQ with a built in phono stage?
Current setup;
Art Audio Carissa (16 wpc)
Art Audio dm- vps
Art Audio Vinyl One