"and the ability to avoid complications with an extra interconnect outweighed the benefits of seperates. I was completely wrong"
Being a seperates guy for decades im now running an integrated and coudnt be happier so I disagree with this statement totally.It depends on where your system level is,if you take what a great amp and pre amp cost .Add the cost of a nice set of ICs ,throw that cost at a great integrated and be done with it.