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
glupson
7,842 posts
 
"The industry-like so many others-looks for new market niches to move product."
Which product? Integrated amplifiers? They have been around for decades and I would bet they have outsold separates by a large number.

fcsonicsmith,

I will assume you are over 20 (years old). How many of your friends from teenage years, and later, have had integrated amplifiers at home or some school dorm? How many had separates? Integrated amplifiers are hardly "a new market niche".

On a technical entertainment side, some integrated amplifiers actually have pre-out/power-in capabilities so you can play with different combinations to your heart’s content.
vinylfan62
119 posts
 
I’m finding this discussion interesting and valuable. Integrates vs separates is something I’m contemplating as I think about replacing my entire rig. Maybe it’s time to stop buying all separate equipment like amps, preamp, phono stage, dac, transport, streamer, etc.  It would be nice if one or two units could be sonically competitive with all of that hardware and save space and money.  It seems I’m not the only one thinking this and many have already shifted to integrated components. Two brands that are new to me have been mentioned already. Thanks! 
But it does irritate me when people post trying to sell their wares in the middle of these discussions. Particularly when there is no tie-in at all. I guess it doesn’t bother other people as much as it does me since no one else has said anything. I just can’t respect anyone that does it. 

freediver
1,173 posts
 
^^^@vinylfan62:have a look at the iFi Audio Retro Stereo control amps...I’ve read the phono stage is superb & I can vouch for the quality of sound via the internal DAC & headphone...
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Integrated amplifiers? They have been around for decades and I would bet they have outsold separates by a large number.

glupson....Receivers!!! 100K to 1? 500K to 1? 1 million to 1?  Yeah, large numbers. 
miketee
26 posts
 
My first “real” stereo had a front end Sansui 5000 receiver, some years later (40+ years),  through solid state integrated amps and separates, solid state amps/tube preamps, big amps and small amps, I finally stopped chasing audio perfection (doesn’t exist). 

I’m now listening to a reasonably powered tube integrated with massive power supply  (an effort to simplify and improve my listening situation) and haven’t been this happy in the 40+ years. 

A high quality integrated, solid state or tube, may be a very satisfying solution for lots of people. 
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