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 1 response by michaelgreenaudio

michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
1,019 posts
 

Isn't it fun watching the changes taking place in real time! How much simpler and better sounding our hobby (lifestyle) has become. I think we owe a lot of this to our audio forums. Before this magazines ruled our perception more than they should have and the sell up revolving door was put to us as almost do or die. It was like facing banishment with more guilt thrown at us than anyone could have ever handled. Spend more, get heavier, dampen instead of tune, throw out controls and the lists went on, all making things harder to do than less and more impractical instead of practical. But one by one as listeners try low mass plus tuning the whole adventure has turned around and is now racing in the other direction, with a few left to yet discover.

The words "I've never heard that before" are being said more then ever.

Michael Green

http://www.michaelgreenaudio.net/

More to discover