user poll on seperates vs integrated

rick2000: wow, those soul note amps are beautiful.  can't say i know anything about them, but they sure look nice.

Both Luxman and Accuphase make outstanding integrated amps, and I have used the following in my 2 systems:

Luxman L-509u, L-595A

Accuphase E-260, E-380.

I especially like the Luxman L-595A pure class A integrated - 30W into 8 ohms, 60W into 4 ohms.

I recently upgraded my main speakers to the Verity Audio Arindal (the successor to the Amadis S) driven by the L-595A integrated.  The speakers are sensitive at 93 db and do not dip below 3 ohms.  

But I wonder if separates would be a significant improvement in my situation?  Both Accuphase and Luxman make separates that are a significantly greater investment than their integrateds and with specs that are incredible.  For example the smallest Accuphase class A amp the A-48 is a heavy beast that delivers 45W into 8 ohms, 90 into 4 ohms, 180W into 2 ohms and 360W into 1 ohm.  Impressive, but given that my speakers don't require the power, would there be any benefit to going down this route?

I think a lot has to do with the type of preamp that the integrated unit is using.

I agree with someone above who said you need to compare the amps within the same brand for this to make any sense. In my opinion, a $10k integrated amp would probably sound better than a $5k amp and $5k preamp, assuming they were all the same brand. The big caveat is if you play vinyl… the included phono stage on an integrated is likely not as good as one included in a preamp, although it’s possible, I suppose.

There are way too many variables if you compare across brands.

I have owned many integrated amplifiers that were purported to be among the finest around.  Honestly, I was unimpressed.

The sound stage and imaging was very average at best, instrument timbre was just OK.  When I upgraded to separates, the ROI was well worth the spend.  Just one guys experience.