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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
gratefuleric
112 posts
 
I've been a separated guy for 40yrs as we evolved, or devolved as some believe, from vinyl to CDs, to streaming content, as we went digital DAC's became a necessity if you wanted warm sound. That meant another outboard piece of equipment and an even longer signal path with USB adapters all of which added to signal degradation and space.
I recently scrapped it all and picked up a Peachtree Nova 300 integrated. I was floored by the sound quality and realized that I had come full circle back to the warm sound of the 70's and my Sansui 1000S and JBL's. 
All in one neat, sweet and powerful unit running off my laptop into its many YSV inputs. It has preamp out so you can take advantage of its outstanding DAC and front end and use any amp you like with great results. Truth us you probably wont want to after hearing it.
This old gearhead is convinced that the future is in integrated amps.
IMHO


tastyfreeze's avatar
tastyfreeze
135 posts
 
I think it is a fantastic price point to start a system.  
jrpnde
271 posts
 
Take a look at another group of buyers......Some are starting out in the adventure of discovering good sound but don't have the $$$$ to spend. So, they buy an integrated that will accommodate a variety of input devices without the extra cost of separates.

Take all of the scientific theories like shorter signal paths and the like and explain it to someone who wants the best sound for the money. Perhaps that integrated buyer will add an outboard pre, phono stage, power amp, or something else to improve on what he has as funds allow. Or, maybe he will just ditch the integrated for something different in the future.
Just my take on why so many buy integrated amps initially before going to separates at the start.

helomech
1,727 posts
 
Devialet makes the best sounding amplifier in the world and it’s an integrated amp
LMAO. I'm a fan of integrateds but Devialet's units are nowhere close to the best. Yes, I've heard them and they don't hold a candle to even a mid-tier class AB integrated - not remotely in the same ball park. 
michaelgreenaudio's avatar
michaelgreenaudio
1,019 posts
 

Isn't it fun watching the changes taking place in real time! How much simpler and better sounding our hobby (lifestyle) has become. I think we owe a lot of this to our audio forums. Before this magazines ruled our perception more than they should have and the sell up revolving door was put to us as almost do or die. It was like facing banishment with more guilt thrown at us than anyone could have ever handled. Spend more, get heavier, dampen instead of tune, throw out controls and the lists went on, all making things harder to do than less and more impractical instead of practical. But one by one as listeners try low mass plus tuning the whole adventure has turned around and is now racing in the other direction, with a few left to yet discover.

The words "I've never heard that before" are being said more then ever.

Michael Green

http://www.michaelgreenaudio.net/

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