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.
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.