I have always preferred separates. My dream since a kid and fortunate enough to have a Jeff Rowland Criterion preamp and Sanders MagTech amps. To me, I have one of the ebst pre amps and amps available and I do not believe one manufacture who makes an incredible preamp also makes amps for me and my speakers (I have Sandres 10e stats). You give up convenience and you need an extra set of cables (I run Tara Labs The One so if cost a few grand a pair) but what you gain is better channel separation, isolation and, to me, the ability to get the best compatability you possibly can. At a $10k budget, if you can get one of those uber new intergraded for 10k, that would be the way to go and move up to separates.
Separates or Integrated? What makes more sense?
If you had $10,000 to spend on amplification, would you put all that money and get a really great and pricey integrated amp like a Pass or Luxman. Or, would you use that 10k to buy a really great preamp and amp combo. Apart from the convenience and space consideration, hypothetically how would you choose to spend that 10k if sound was your main criterion.
J
J