The high-end integrateds are excellent products, and by eliminating a set of interconnect cables -- with all of the accompanying potential for RFI problems and other undesirable sonic issues -- they are often the equal of many pre/power combinations. However, life is never that perfect. Some integrateds -- such as the Rowland Concentra which I once owned (and loved) and the 383 (see the STEREOPHILE review) -- do not like to see low impedance speaker loads, such as anything that conisistently strays too far below 4 ohms. The Krell 500i which is basically a 250p preamp and a 250 amp on the same chassis may not have that problem, since the 250a will handle a 2 ohm load. Coda also makes an integrated which they claim has sufficient current to interface effectively with low impedance speakers. Thus, for the most part, the answer to your question depends considerably upon how loud you like your music; and what speakers you will be driving with an integrated.
