What makes it special: tubes.
I'd like more compact gear to replace the separates, as I age and move towards smaller living spaces, and newer gear, which could be more reliable. But everything is a trade-off, and an integrated could not equal the tube amp, preamp and phono pre I have. Tubes are inherently higher maintenance that ss (but more repairable when things go wrong.) Contra, modern KT-150 and 170 tubes have the potential to shorten the signal path and reduce phase issues. You pay when you sell old gear and buy new, so "downsizing" will involve paying a lot of money for lower quality sound. Can't make myself do that until it's unavoidable.
I'd like more compact gear to replace the separates, as I age and move towards smaller living spaces, and newer gear, which could be more reliable. But everything is a trade-off, and an integrated could not equal the tube amp, preamp and phono pre I have. Tubes are inherently higher maintenance that ss (but more repairable when things go wrong.) Contra, modern KT-150 and 170 tubes have the potential to shorten the signal path and reduce phase issues. You pay when you sell old gear and buy new, so "downsizing" will involve paying a lot of money for lower quality sound. Can't make myself do that until it's unavoidable.