Integrated tube amp vs Tube amp?

In most cases, I would say yes - you'll get more performance from a pure tube amp. Tube integrated amps often have very simplistic preamp & volume stages in order to fit into the same box & budget. Simplistic is fine, but...if you hear an ARC Reference 6 or VAC Master, you will know what a big box pre can do (neither of these will come close to fitting into an integrated). The power amp section of an integrated could also be compromised a little for those reasons. Having to use an extra set of interconnects sucks, but still worth it imo. 

The biggest stopper to most people going to separates is having to buy 2 components up front instead of one - but you've already got the preamp. Go for the tube power! You'll also gain more flexibility down the road - sometimes the brand-matching pre & power aren't actually the best sonic match in your system, to your ears.

There are 2 schools of thought on preamps:  Preamp should "add to sound quality" and "preamp should be invisible".  

Integrated tube amps usually are looking for the 2nd path to success.  So if you're in that school of thought, integrated tube amps may be the way for you to go.

If an integrated amp uses a 12au7 for the preamp stage, which is pretty common, it's definitely NOT going to sound invisible. 

truth be told I miss the sound of the Cronus Magnum integrated.  The only thing it was ultimately missing is that last ounce of speed and dynamics compared to my current tube preamp / solid state amp.  But the overall sound was often simply gorgeous, something hard to find regardless of your system.  

From what I've heard from the modern Rogue separate preamps, they'll give you exactly that speed and dynamics, but not really any lush beauty. Other preamps can do that, though. You have more options for amazing sound with different separate combinations, but it's also true that it's a lot more money AND there's more opportunity for missteps / bad combinations. 

@mulveling 

i agree completely but with a cary audio SLP-05 and a Pass XA25 I still miss the sound of the Cronus Magnum II.  I have class A solid state quickness but missing whatever the CM II tube amp did.  And the stereo 100 was not "it".  Too dark.  I liked the polished neutrality of the CM II.  

Wow, very interesting! I guess there's good reason the CM is their huge seller. I'm surprised that the Stereo 100 fell flat for you - I'd have figured that would be an "it" piece to show off the quality of separates. I tried a Stereo 90 long ago and really like it. I have Apollo Darks in my collection and they're anything but "dark" sounding. But there's no arguing with your direct experience! That is some nice separates gear your CM II has gone up against.

forgot about the dark option, thanks for the mention. i may have to order a stereo 100 dark.

i tried everything to brighten the non dark version including all sorts of tubes and a bright preamp but no luck.

Also if you need a bit more top end energy and zing in Rogue amps, the Mazda silver plate 12ax7 (not 5751) is a panacea. It sounds almost like a full component upgrade in the right scenario. I used ’em in Apollos and Apollo Darks, even when not wanting the extra top end for the latter, just because they’re so damned good. They were absolutely a huge upgrade for the original Apollos. I got mine from Brent Jesse. Short of Mazda silvers, the Telefunken ribbed plates is one to try (easier to find and cheaper than Mazda) - NOT the smooth plate kind though, which are warmer.

I’m kinda wondering now if the plain Apollos with Mazdas might have been better than the Apollo Darks lol. The Darks ship with Telefunken smooth plates, which it needs for balanced tonality, but the absence of the Mazda's detail, dynamics, punchiness is quite obvious with that sub.