2. amps-preamps
  3. 176198-10803

After years of separates, I'm going integrated. Anyone else do the same?

I'm rethinking my listening room. I want my audio rack to be more minimalist vs lots of boxes, wires, and clutter. I know separates, in general, will sound better. However, at the level of my system, I'm not certain the difference would be as apparent. In the grand scheme of things of Audiophilia, my level of components are mid-fi at best (BHK Pre, First Watt J2, Elac PPA-2 phono, Pro-ject s2 Dac, ZU Omen Defs)

I'm favoring one of the Luxman Class A's (I know Luxman is getting out of the Class A business. The only way I would favor a built-in Dac is if it were upgradable like McIntosh or Accuphase. I'm guessing a Luxman or Mac built-in phono would sound just as good as to what I have now (Elac PPA-2).

So the question is, who else has gone to integrated? Do you regret the move or are you glad you did?

 

aberyclark
tcbrinkley's avatar
tcbrinkley
20 posts
 

I sold the separates three yrs ago for all the same reasons and bought a Devialet Expert Pro. One of my best decisions ever. Unless you just like to swap individual components like DAC’s for the fun of it (it can be fun, no argument) I don’t see how you can buy a streamer, DAC, phono stage, pre and power amp + cables and power conditioning of equal quality for anywhere near the same price. Especially not one in a single sleek minimalist chrome chassis.

gratefuleric
112 posts
 

Yes, after years of separates in a nice rack with all the bells and whistles, I went to a Peachtree Nova 300 and it blew the doors off of anything I'd run before. 300WPC @ 8ohms, great DAC built-in, 111db S/N ratio, .004 THD. Simply stunning sound quality.

mcslipp's avatar
mcslipp
122 posts
 

I’ll go one further. I’m toying with the idea of some powered ATC 150’s feed by a Lumin P1. No speaker cables. Just a pair of xlr’s. Lean, mean and clean.

slvrado's avatar
slvrado
9 posts
 

I have a beautiful sounding Luxman integrated, which has allowed me to feed a secondary system with that awesome Speakers A/B/A&B. Now my secondary system is fed by a great front end  common to both systems. This is one key advantage of a traditional integrated.

bikesandguitars's avatar
bikesandguitars
13 posts
 

I have a McIntosh and a Marantz Ruby integrated along with separates from AR and PrimaLuna .  I’d recommend spending the money on room treatments - sound panels, bass traps, etc.,  There are a ton of decorative options with potential WAF, if that’s an issue.  If the room acoustics aren’t tuned, the source doesn’t really matter.  Ask any musician. 

More to discover