2. amps-preamps
  3. 1128087547

Downsized and still happy, can it happen?

I would like to hear from those who have moved from separates to an integrated amp in their system and your experience in doing so. Any buyers remorse in selling the separates? Are you still running the integrated or now considering separates again? Do you still get the same level of satisfaction from the system? Which pre/power amp did you have and what integrated replaced them?

Lately I find myself constantly considering and researching high quality integrated amps and admiring them for the all in one solution. I have all these components, powercords, conditioners and interconnects that I could unload and then replace with fewer higher quality versions. That is pretty much what is driving me into this little sidebar consideration.
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Showing 1 response by sfar

sfar's avatar
sfar
1,756 posts
 
For reasons of space I went from McCormack separates, a DNA-0.5 amp and TLC preamp, to an Audio Refinement Complete integrated. That was quite a move down in terms of the original cost, as well, but I'd always liked the Audio Refinement and decided to give it a try.

I'm very happy with the switch. Combined with a pair of reasonably efficient ProAc Response 1s monitors and a subwoofer I actually prefer the sound in the new space to what I hold in a larger space with floor-standing ProAcs and a stack of separates.

I switched from a separate transport and DAC combo to a one-box player at the same time and gave away my tuner because there was so little decent music on FM locally.

So, I went from five boxes to two and got rid of a tangle of cables that always took a minute or two to comprehend. I like the simplicity a lot and the sound suits my space better.
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