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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
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,549 posts
 

Receivers, for so long. 
monoblocks, and never looked back.

separation, is great. Plus a great mono button when needed.
 

 No more receivers for me.
 

maybe someday I will revert back. . 

bacobits1
103 posts
 

 Yes, Integrated's for a long time now. Currently Tube but SS too.

keithr
1,306 posts
 

I used to think "super" integrateds were the best value, but now believe a TVC + stereo amp are much better and cost the same. TVC doesn't use a power cord of course, so its just a set of interconnects. 

phd
1,283 posts
 

There is nothing wrong with integrateds, it takes the guess work out of matching a preamp to power amp and eliminates some cabling. The only thing is you need to buy one that don't share the same power supply unless that power supply is way over-built. As such I couldn't find one that could deliver the goods like my separates but as far as sound quality they are there,

celtic66
1,616 posts
 

OP:   I want my audio rack to be more minimalist vs lots of boxes, wires, and clutter.

In that direction, I've a music server and a DAC/preamp box on one stand, 2 active floor-stander speakers....done.  Digital cable from server to DAC, XLR from DAC to speakers.....done.  I cannot simply any further and still be in the game.

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