preamp/amp or integrated? That is the question

Either these days can deliver top notch sound. The devil is in the details. There is less for the end user to get wrong that can negatively affect resulting sound and performance with a good integrated amp. They are also more compact and ergonomic. Separates give you more control but involves more smart decision making to get right.

Either can sound really good and offer good value. I use both to good effect and would have few reservations going either way these days.

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.