I've used separates for years, right down to phono preamps and MC step up transformers.
I sold hi-end gear during college to pay the bills working at a local tweak shop. As you might imagine, I received professional training from the different reps who called on us.
The pitch for separates of course was flexibility to customize the sound and to reduce the possibility of signal "smear" from everything being on the same chassis with the resulting improvement in sound.
At the end of the day, practical matters of available space, budget, etc come into play.
Buy what you can afford and still manage to enjoy it!
I sold hi-end gear during college to pay the bills working at a local tweak shop. As you might imagine, I received professional training from the different reps who called on us.
The pitch for separates of course was flexibility to customize the sound and to reduce the possibility of signal "smear" from everything being on the same chassis with the resulting improvement in sound.
At the end of the day, practical matters of available space, budget, etc come into play.
Buy what you can afford and still manage to enjoy it!