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Integrateds: Why do they all SUCK?

I’m trying to find a HIGH QUALITY integrated that has:
1. A no-corners-cut real class A - A/B power stage.
2. A real, high quality analog preamp line stage.
3. A good phono stage.

Aside from a few very high end products, the above described integrateds seem not to exist. Why can’t I find a quality integrated? Do we just have to accept having a pile of boxes?
madavid0
madavid0 OP
214 posts
 
What about PrimaLunas? Are these things really the giant monster-killers a lot of people claim they are?
oblgny's avatar
oblgny
848 posts
 
Jeepers,  casting aspersions on an entire category of equipment without citing the reasons why, such as price and/or anything else, kind of begs off any informative dialogue that might develop. 

After a good many years spent with separates, and a good many amp/preamp combinations used, I went back to a quality integrated simply to remove all the fuss/cables.  

I don’t know what price point the op is considering so I’m just going to say that if one is accustomed to spending one’s dollars on separates, one should be prepared to spend a similar amount on an integrated. My experience with a B. A. T. Preamp for my Pass Labs X150.5 amp resulted in my purchasing a B. A. T. Integrated with an identical power rating to the Pass Labs. 

The VK300XSE has a good phono stage, puts out 150 watts @ 8ohms, 300 @ 4ohms, is tubed, and takes up less space.  I bought it refurbished for approximately half it’s original msrp and am quite satisfied with its unsuckiness!
ps
757 posts
 
Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I will be the self-appointed voice of reason and suggest you all ignore the OP.

"Why do all integrated amps SUCK?"

Really?
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,322 posts
 
Anyone interested in a great integrated for not much there is a Bel Canto c5i up for sale here for a very good price. 

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
@ps 
Has been said a few times already , myself included but still on it rolls.
Now the actual thread material could be of interest and useful to some I am sure, always great to find out about equipment.
However it is the way the op approaches it that is so juvenile.
The majority if not ALL his threads ate titled in the same belittling, antagonist way and that just sets the mood for the majority of the following discussion.
So really they are doomed before they even start.
Now he has been told of this many times already so as he carries on in the same vein one can only assume he is out to deliberately annoy everyone here!
Something he appears to do exceedingly well!
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