preamp/amp or integrated? That is the question

we see a separate post asking about the vintage ADS 910 speakers

If you are willing to cough up $4K for the new amplification alone (fuggeddaboud the esoteric and irrelevant distinctions between separates versus integrated for the moment) then IMO a step-up to better speakers, on par with the new amp build quality and performance capabilities; would follow lockstep to do the new amp justice.

the 910 are fine vintage speakers, but I agree that $4,000 is way too much to spend on amp for them...

Rockanroller, the only integrated amp that I ever would think of using personally is that by Exemplar Audio, the exception, but it costs $5500. I have heard earlier versions of it a liked them very much but this weekend I'm going to hear the "greatly improved" version. It is a hybrid piece.

I've been most impressed with the bel canto c5i I picked up recently. Hard to fault. Very user friendly as well. Just leave it on all the time pick a source (digital analog line level or phono) and play and enjoy. Quality sound done well and made reasonably affordable. c7i receiver is said to be even better.