What can I add, well a few things. Neither integrated or pre/power need be intrinsically better. In most manufacturers lines the best tends to be statement pre amp and power mono blocks, but that is traditionally where the "cost no object effort" goes. There seems to be a trend to more "no compromise" integrated amps now though.
The drawback, putting the delicate pre amp circuits, with there low voltage near the interference of higher voltage output circuits and transformers. Also many so called integrated amps are just power amps with a volume control and input selector stuck on, not a true pre amp at all and a good pre amp can of course make a big difference to the final sound. Some integrated amps do have a true pre amp section though, but many of the cheaper tube amps don't.
The drawback of separate pre and power amps? To me, the main one is cost and cost is an issue for all of us. Two boxes, more components, fewer interconnects, less rack space, an integrated should give more bang for your bucks. Secondly there is the question of shorter signal paths with, in theory, less risk of interference to the delicate signal.
As for myself, I've gone from a separate Pre Power to a choice of 2 integrated amps, a Lavardin IT and Viva Solista and I am not getting rid of either
The drawback, putting the delicate pre amp circuits, with there low voltage near the interference of higher voltage output circuits and transformers. Also many so called integrated amps are just power amps with a volume control and input selector stuck on, not a true pre amp at all and a good pre amp can of course make a big difference to the final sound. Some integrated amps do have a true pre amp section though, but many of the cheaper tube amps don't.
The drawback of separate pre and power amps? To me, the main one is cost and cost is an issue for all of us. Two boxes, more components, fewer interconnects, less rack space, an integrated should give more bang for your bucks. Secondly there is the question of shorter signal paths with, in theory, less risk of interference to the delicate signal.
As for myself, I've gone from a separate Pre Power to a choice of 2 integrated amps, a Lavardin IT and Viva Solista and I am not getting rid of either