Integrated Amp Vs. Outboard DAC

Also agree with the above.  I've had my amp for almost 20 years but have had four DACs in my system over that time.  Buy a great integrated you can keep and upgrade DACs as needed.  Best of luck. 

Like most things it depends.

What integrated compared to what external DAC and amp?

The unique advantage of separate DAC is you can change and upgrade DACs without having to change amps. That’s a useful thing especially if one considers DAC technology to still be improving overall rapidly, which seems to be the case.

The unique advantage of an integrated is well its integrated....details of integrating DAC with the rest have been worked out for you.   Also should be easier for wife and kids.

I have separate DAC in one system and integrated in another. Both sound top notch but different. Hard to say which is "better" sounding and exactly why.

YMMV.

Agree with external DAC, but be careful since many TVs output only Dolby and not the PCM.  My Samsung TV has choice in the menu, but Panasonics and few others output PCM only with analog TV (NTSC) and Dolby with digital (ATSC).

Thanks everyone for the comments. I was thinking about getting the Cambridge Audio CXA60 as an integrated. It's available for about 800. I do think it has gotten good reviews for what it is. If I went for a separate DAC and amp it is going to cost me about $500 more. I really like the Creek Evolution 50A and the Musical Fidelity V90 DAC. I look at that as an investment in the future but I am trying to be practical. I will be working with CD quality files as opposed to anything hi-res. I live in a rural area so I will not have a chance to audition anything in person.  I'm moving on from an AVR with some Wharfedale 10.1s so anything is likely to be an improvement. 

I picked up a demo bel canto c5i here on agony for under $1000.    Very nice clean holographic sound and  does it all including phono and all the hifi many would ever need.