The Magnum Dynalab receiver (designed with Sim Audio) has received some glowing reviews, and at $2k list may be worth investigating? My concerns with all-in-one units is a lack of flexibility when it comes time to upgrade, and the power supplies aren't usually big beefy beasts like those found in quality separates. In theory, recievers ought to be better, since the tuner and preamp are hard-wired and have very short cable runs internally, as opposed to separates that rely on IC's.
Recievers versus separates
Although I have read seemingly thousands of articles stating that high end receivers such as the B&K 202/307 and the Denon 5800 are as "good as separates," which separates are they as good as? Can can someone compare the sound of these to an Outlaw amp, a Proceed AMP5, a Bryston 9BST, a Sunfire Cinema Grand, or any other amp in the $1000-$5000 range. Does a $3000 receiver get close enough to these to make the difference incremental, and are we just paying a higher profit margin for separates such as the ones listed above.