2. amps-preamps
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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
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,866 posts
 

If one does not require the gain provided by the pre-amp section of an integrated and most separate pre-amps, a power amp with a built-in passive pre-amp (control of volume, switching, etc.) is an attractive alternative to a conventional integrated (which in many cases have a power amp section compromised in the interest of meeting a retail price point).

There are some of that kind of product available, and I could provide the name of one tube amp designer/builder who will I believe install a passive pre-amp in one of his amps if you so desire (he approves of the concept). I could, but have been reprimanded for "pimping" for him and his products. Can't have that, so you’ll have to figure it out for yourselves. Hint: He was for years located in beautiful Santa Barbara, but has relocated to the Berkeley/Oakland area in N. California (not without its’ own charms).

mr_m
1,900 posts
 
A passive pre is not always desirable to an active one.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yeah, if you think you need high quality active preamp better go with separates, I guess. Would Diablo's power amp section equal or outperform any separate power amp in most cases within this price range ? That's an interesting question. Theoretically, one can add separate active preamp to Gryphon, let's say tube preamp, if they electrically match well. Adding separate tube pieces to Diablo, phono and active preamp, and see what happens would be true audiophile experimentation.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,818 posts
 
fsonicsmith
excellent query with corresponding Pros and Cons accordingly.I believe that it is fair to report that in 2019, the Integrated Amp, has become a strong competitor to Separates. No doubt that some audio manufacturers build Reference quality products currently. Add a little advanced technology by way of a DAC or server/streamer capabilities, one can be musically rewarded. Last year, I had the aural pleasure of auditioning the Anthem STR integrated amp. This year, so far, I have had  the aural pleasure of auditioning an AYRE AX-5 Twenty integrated amp. Both are very musical, the AYRE, moreso as reflected in its price.  I am going to take a second demo with the AYRE. I never thought I would ever consider an integrated amp?
Happy Listening!
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith OP
962 posts
 
I, the OP, am not only aware of wine analogies, but also bicycle analogies. The bicycle industry came up with the idea of compact frames (sloped top tubes for those that don't know bikes) so that instead of needing to manufacture ten frame sizes in 1 cm increments they could instead accommodate 98% of the population with a S, M, L, and XL. This behooved the industry, not the consumer. But consumers were sold on looks and false claims of increased rigidity and speed. Every three or four years the bicycle industry comes up with a new "flavor of the month" to seduce the gullible into ditching what they have and replacing it with the new "best". Aero, integrated brakes, disc brakes, elastomer suspended forks and rear-triangles etc. etc. etc. I, being a skeptic, don't claim to be right, but only offer the humble suggestion that integrated amps are a solution for a problem that never was. Whatever is old is new again. A Krell integrated graced the cover of Stereophile 25 years ago with the immortal caption, "What the Krell?". It failed on measurements and consumer satisfaction despite delivering name cache combined with lower price. Can an integrated offer state of the art sound? Unquestionably yes. Is the fact that every major manufacturer and their sister is offering an integrated a sell-job by the industry? IMHO, unquestionably yes. 
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