I think 300W integrateds are not made simply due to the fact they are tailored for smaller spaces where 300W is overkill. I read once that it is a thermal issue too but I don't really think so.
I personally auditioned a McIntosh MA6450 integrated and was able to compare it to my McIntosh MC712/7100 from which the circuits came and feel that they were too close to tell apart in a blindfold test. There were several of us there and we all agreed that the differences were not audible by human ears - only noticible with test equipment (the noise specs are better in the separates).
Therefore the main advantage of separates IMO is that they are more flexible to upgrading. However, you can run into impedance mismatches if you mix brands up so you are limited there. I love my ss system and will keep it but I would like a tube integrated so there are no mismatch problems and still have tube sound - the best solution for this case. A nice thing too is if the integrated has a preout, then you get the added benefit of flexible upgrades in the future. Arthur
I personally auditioned a McIntosh MA6450 integrated and was able to compare it to my McIntosh MC712/7100 from which the circuits came and feel that they were too close to tell apart in a blindfold test. There were several of us there and we all agreed that the differences were not audible by human ears - only noticible with test equipment (the noise specs are better in the separates).
Therefore the main advantage of separates IMO is that they are more flexible to upgrading. However, you can run into impedance mismatches if you mix brands up so you are limited there. I love my ss system and will keep it but I would like a tube integrated so there are no mismatch problems and still have tube sound - the best solution for this case. A nice thing too is if the integrated has a preout, then you get the added benefit of flexible upgrades in the future. Arthur