2. amps-preamps
  3. 146319-12450

Why the facination with integrated amps?

I don’t get it. Is it the manufacturers spotting a trend with the tail wagging the dog or does a significant market segment truly prefer the idea of an integrated?
Pros;
Less space
One less set of IC’s
In theory-one less chassis/case to pay for
Shorter signal paths possible
Can combine transformer/cap function
Cons;
Power supply interference/spuriae
Reduced Flexibility-can’t switch amp or preamp as easily or go to monoblocs
Less resonance control
Long history of lesser performance per measurements and long-term subjective listening
Less resale value if it turns out to be a fad
Less liklihood of an extremely high performing active preamp

I freely admit I am a skeptic. The industry-like so many others-looks for new market niches to move product. 
FWIW, the only integrateds I myself would care to audition would be from Esoteric and Luxman who have a long history of designing no-compromise (low-compromise) high-end integrateds. 

128x128fsonicsmith

Showing 2 responses by big_greg

big_greg
6,554 posts
 
It's nice to have options.  I have separates in my main system.  I have more space and am more concerned about sound quality in the main system. 

I have an integrated in my home office (Audio Research VSi55).  I have a tuner, turntable, and DAC connected to it.  Volume is usually pretty low and it's mostly background music (either the tuner or Spotify or Tidal through the DAC) but if it's a slow day or a late night of work, I will crank it up every once in a while.  I have a pair of Klipsch Heresy I speakers with a bunch of Bob Crites upgrades and the sound quality is very pleasing those times I do crank it up.

In my computer room I have a Heed Elixir integrated and a turntable, DAC, and Sony headphone amp.  I have some space limitations in that room.  The Heed doesn't take up much space and will drive my Canton speakers louder than I can listen to them.  The sound quality is excellent and the headphone amp in the Heed, while not as refined as the Sony is excellent.  It also has a phono pre, I haven't tried it yet, but by all accounts it's quite good.

I also have a Peachtree Nova 300 which has a great amp, dac, and phono preamp.  Quite frankly it has more bells and whistles than I need and it is currently for sale (replaced by the Heed).

The integrateds I own meet (or exceeded) my needs and were affordable options for the space and use I bought them for.  While not as good as my main system, if something happened and I had to downsize, I'd be really happy with either one of the systems I've built around my integrateds. 
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I'm not sure if this has been touched on, but there's no reason you can't combine separates with your integrated.  I started out with a Peachtree Nova 300 in my computer room which includes a great DAC, phono stage, and headphone amp.  You can also connect a preamp to it.

Even though the built in components were really good in the Peachtree, I am using a better external phono stage, DAC, and headphone amp and certainly didn't need 300 WPC in my small 10 X 12 room.  I came to realize that even though this was a modest unit, it was overkill for my needs and space.

I "downsized" to a Heed Elixir which takes up less space and doesn't have a DAC (it does have a very high quality headphone amp and phono stage, which I still don't use) and use an external DAC, phono stage, and headphone amp.

I realize most people are referring to a separate amp(s) and preamp or line stage when talking about "separates" in this, but you don't have to be limited by what's "in the box" with an integrated.

Some very high end big bucks integrateds are being mentioned in this conversation, but for someone getting into the hobby or with less lofty goals a very nice sounding system can be built around a good integrated for a relatively modest investment.
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