2. amps-preamps
  3. 146319-12450

Why the facination with integrated amps?

I don’t get it. Is it the manufacturers spotting a trend with the tail wagging the dog or does a significant market segment truly prefer the idea of an integrated?
Pros;
Less space
One less set of IC’s
In theory-one less chassis/case to pay for
Shorter signal paths possible
Can combine transformer/cap function
Cons;
Power supply interference/spuriae
Reduced Flexibility-can’t switch amp or preamp as easily or go to monoblocs
Less resonance control
Long history of lesser performance per measurements and long-term subjective listening
Less resale value if it turns out to be a fad
Less liklihood of an extremely high performing active preamp

I freely admit I am a skeptic. The industry-like so many others-looks for new market niches to move product. 
FWIW, the only integrateds I myself would care to audition would be from Esoteric and Luxman who have a long history of designing no-compromise (low-compromise) high-end integrateds. 

fsonicsmith

Showing 8 responses by glupson

glupson
7,842 posts
 
"Is the fact that every major manufacturer and their sister is offering an integrated a sell-job by the industry?"

In fact, is the fact that every major manufacturer and their sister is offering separates a sell-job by the industry that tries to sell us two items instead of one? That may be a new thread on Audiogon.

Every manufacturer, or at least a significant number of them was offering an integrated years and years ago. They did not invent it this year, or the last. They have improved them over the decades that they have been selling integrated amplifiers and they would like to sell them now, too. You have to forgive them that. That is their job and not a global conspiracy.

As it is obvious from this thread and for a number of reasons, many people are welcoming the opportunity to buy an integrated amplifier.

Someone messed up my bicycle. It clearly says XL but has no sloped top tube.


glupson
7,842 posts
 
"Also wonder what people think of the Parsound Halo Integrated."
I have never heard one, but I noticed people mentioning it many times on other threads. If I remember correctly, it was all in a positive way.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"Seems like the OP hasn’t much to say with so much positive being said about integrated amps."
I think that OP got the answer he was looking for. Integrated amps seem to be liked by many and not only as a recent marketing plot by manufacturers. So far, responders have given a variety of reasons why they like them and praised amplifiers in wide price range (roughly $1000 to $16000, without re-reading the thread).

In fact, it seems that everyone responding has had an integrated amplifier at some point, Even those who now prefer separates. Which makes "...new market niches to move product." probably not the case.

In short...

"...does a significant market segment truly prefer the idea of an integrated?"
Yes.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
elizabeth,

You always impress me with your numbers. First it was number of records, now 7 meter interconnects. You  really play big numbers only.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
willland,

I had Denon PMA-250 and it is still running strong with a friend I gave it to. It might have been the smallest and cheapest, but it was as good as they got.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
elizabeth,

"And I just could not see having 27 ft long speaker cables..."
That is some big room. How long is the cable between pre-amplifier and amplifier? 
glupson
7,842 posts
 
david_ten,

I completely forgot receivers as an even more integrated option. It would be interesting to know those numbers. They must be huge.

As an excuse for my forgetting receivers altogether, they were not that popular in Europe. That is where they were almost an actual niche product at some point. I knew a lots of people with integrated amplifiers but nobody with a receiver or separates.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"The industry-like so many others-looks for new market niches to move product."
Which product? Integrated amplifiers? They have been around for decades and I would bet they have outsold separates by a large number.

fcsonicsmith,

I will assume you are over 20 (years old). How many of your friends from teenage years, and later, have had integrated amplifiers at home or some school dorm? How many had separates? Integrated amplifiers are hardly "a new market niche".

On a technical entertainment side, some integrated amplifiers actually have pre-out/power-in capabilities so you can play with different combinations to your heart’s content.
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