The vanishing stereo rack

you would think the stereo would be completely irrelevant.  The DAC/ Streamer left and right channels should be built into the speaker and you you would connect to them using WiFi / DLNA and you could stream to them from your phone.

Think they have built in linear power supplies?

Ah the dream of all-in-one.

Far better off with separate components so the weakest link is easily replaced.

If that picture is the future, count me OUT.

What a HORRIBLE looking room to have any experience in. 

I'm sure these speakers have a built-in blender and vacuum cleaner

@pedroeb I was talking to a friend about this the other day. Building everything in one box might actually give you better sound for the money and a lot of people that are not audiophiles will prefer to have as few boxes as possible. 

You are totally correct that a system with separate parts is easier to improve one step at a time and might also be adjusted to taste much more easily. 

I think there will be more active speakers in the future but separates will still exist. 

One of the best active speakers I've heard was the Cabasse La Pearl Pelegrina.