2. amps-preamps
  3. 184597-122012

user poll on seperates vs integrated

Hey guys, I wanted to try and crowd-source some (likely very opinionated, unscientific) knowledge.  I've read about the benefits of separates (have only ever used integrated myself), and I'm wondering how those benefits compare to the benefits of higher end parts/assembly, when controlled for cost.

 

To put it more plainly, would you likely get better overall results from a $5000 preamp and $5000 amp, or from a $10,000 integrated, given the likely quality/components used in equipment in those price ranges.

 

If you're experienced both separates, and integrated amps that cost the equivalent of those separate parts added together, can you speak to which you preferred?

 

Thanks for weighing in.

chrisryanhorner

Showing 1 response by panzrwagn

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
437 posts
 

My very first HiFi was a Marantz 1060 and Large Advents, a Philips 212 and B&O SP-12 cart. Since then I've had a bunch of separates, 150W/ch HK Citation 16, 40W/ch MC240. This time around I went with a Marantz PM7000N Integrated driving LS50s , now  MA Silver 300-7 and a VPI Prime w/Hana SH..

If I were to upgrade, My next move would be a McIntosh MA-252 Hybrid Tube, above that, a Levinson 5802 or 5805 with a possibility of a Luxman 509. And I still haven't touched $1OK, and I haven't blown a European vacation on interconnects. 

So if none of the above float your boat, and you gotta have separates, I'd start with Parasound, maybe NAD, and from there it's a 3-Way between your discretionary income, marital considerations, and how much fiddling around you want to do with components and cables. 

For me, there's just too much value in integrated amps, and at the end of the day, I just want to listen to some music, maybe spin some vinyl.

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