Integrateds: Why do they all SUCK?

Sure, but no digital inputs and not particularly cheap. My observation was that there are numerous really very good integrated amplifiers from mainstream manufacturers with about 100 watt per channel output such as the Yamaha's that I referred to, but above that the market is much much thinner. You either have to pay multi dollars for audiophile brands, or go the route of pro audio separates. I am just wondering if the 100 watt ceiling has a technical basis, or is just what the marketing people came up with as a practical limit to what make sense for most ordinary listeners. I really don't know. What I do know is that more watts make for a rather cleaner sound in many situations.

There are plenty of perfect integrateds with an output of about 100 watt per channel. A good example would be the Yamaha AS 701/801. The problem arises if you need more power than that. Almost nobody seems to make integrateds with all the modern stuff like digital inputs, and a power output of 200 watts or more. And yet, that is what you need for most high quality loudspeakers in anything other than a small room.