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What price point favors separates over integrated?

At my point in the audio food chain, an integrated is the only choice. Buying separates for less than $2K total doesn't make any sense. But there are some really really expensive integrated amps out there. Which got me thinking... At what price point is it better to have separates rather than an integrated? I'm leaving out concerns about space here. Just for sound, if you have $5K, is it better to have a Levinson integrated (or equivalent), or two components, say $2K pre and $2K amp (+ cables/powercords if you're into that)?

For that matter, where's the cutoff for monoblocks over a pre/amp combo?

I know there's "no right answer" here, as it will depend on your particular taste in gear, but I'd like to hear your opinions, as many of you must face this choice.
qualia8

Showing 1 response by krell_man

krell_man
827 posts
 
I guess it all depends on your money situation, because separates have more extra cost associated with them.

For example, I just went to mono-blocks. Now I have a pre-amp and two amps.

My power cords cost $550.00 a piece and interconnects cost $500.00 a pair. So an integrated would need one power cord, where I need three and a set of interconnects. So the pre-amp/mono-block set up cost an extra $1,600.00 in cables.

I also need three spaces in my rack for them instead of just one, as well as three outlets instead of just one.

The main reason that I like separates is because I have played music all of my life, and I have the audiophile 'addiction', and continually change trying to hear more and more.
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