2. amps-preamps
  3. 1130095874

seperates over integrated. Why?

This is a general question, raised by an experience today.I own a Tube Technology Seer pre, and today turned down one of their integrated amps at $700. I'm running home made triode monoblocks through the preamp with Fi Phy and Ear 834p and the preamp's phonos, and One thing audio Quad ESL57's. All these years of gradually changing gear, and thinking about cables, and all the different bits of gear, just buying an integrated sure sounds good right now. The Tube Technology pre's phono stage is up there with the other 2, only being inferior during exhaustive ABing. So whats the fuss? All those cables degrading the signal with seperates, or "it all in together" integrateds vibrating and cross-talking the signal away? I ASK THIS CONFUSEDLY.
gilbodavid

Showing 3 responses by matti

matti
114 posts
 
Separate power supplies are the biggest advantage of separate amps. Traditionally speaking integrated amps just don't have the type of power supplies in them that even mediocre power amps do. That said, we'll have to see what the advent of digital amps does to the integrated market...could get interesting.
matti
114 posts
 
Robm - I'm not sure that you can show me an integrated that acts as a voltage source down to 2 ohms and below. Or one with the S/N ratios of the better separates. But I do agree that there is a lot of performance available if you're willing to consider a nice integrated.
matti
114 posts
 
Rob - I think we are in agreement that short of having to drive very difficult loads or the need to output tremendous power, integrateds might be the better choice for even seasoned audiophiles. And even then the MF KW500 integrated comes to mind as a possibility.

I think it's a pretty cool time to be a "beginner" in the hobby due exactly to the type of performance which is available from the equipment we're talking about here. Ya know?
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