”In my opinion, regardless of whether it's an integrated, or separates, it all starts with the power supply. Assuming it's overbuilt and done well, separates have their own discrete power supplies, with mono amps or true dual mono designs being the best. At the end of the day, how good a piece of gear sounds is directly related to its power supply”
” …. I’d also say it depends on the level of integrated you are looking at.…
+1 on both posts.
There are several high-end integrated amps with beefy dual-mono power supplies that are every bit the peer performance TRUE contender and no pretender to separates . (Dual mono” indicates two completely separate, independent, unrelated channels)
think GRYPHON , REGA and other quality hi-end builds .
I’m most familiar with my REGA OSIRIS
REGA OSIRIS POWER SUPPLY DEETS
The Osiris uses two low noise, purpose designed 400 VA toroidal transformers using high-grade, fully bonded core material. The transformers are mounted to the chassis using Rega’s innovative mounting technique which eliminates noise being transferred from the transformer to the case when the transformers are operating under arduous mains (line) conditions with high levels of asymmetric mains (line) distortion.
These transformers combined with 40,000 Micro Farads of Rega K-Power smoothing capacitors per channel, provide more than enough current to drive the hardest of loads.
All the power supplies utilise fast recovery rectifier diodes throughout. (Fast diodes generate less high frequency switching noise therefore giving rise to a cleaner DC). The input and low-level driver stages are fed from a regulated symmetrical tracking power supply with a low noise voltage reference, which provides a fully stabilised low noise voltage, ensuring the highest level of sonic purity.
All the dedicated audio power supplies feed only the audio circuits.
The input switching, display & micro controller and protection circuits have their own dedicated supplies, keeping the audio signal path as pure as possible.