Why the facination with integrated amps?

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!

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. 

"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."

fsonicsmith-

Riding a size appropriate compact frame is more efficient. The smaller frame is more rigid and lighter, and handling is more precise, compared to the antiquated traditional design. 

Just like audio, the price of admission can make your blood pressure rise. 
Here's a bargain model. No disc brakes. 
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/pinarello-dogma-f10-sram-red-etap-complete-road-bike-2017?ti=Ojox...

If I were buying at this level, I wouldn't even consider standard brakes. I've got the fitness level, but no wallet!

Figure another $2-3K for appropriate attire-you're not gonna be caught on something like that with a hack,el cheapo kit!

I went compact/carbon  13 years ago. Never going back to a traditional frame.
Still like an old steel Italian classic, but their heavy and sloppy(compared to something modern) 

The thing about the high end bike-you still have to pedal the damn thing!

"Is the fact that every major manufacturer and their sister is offering an integrated a sell-job by the industry?"

In fact, is the fact that every major manufacturer and their sister is offering separates a sell-job by the industry that tries to sell us two items instead of one? That may be a new thread on Audiogon.

Every manufacturer, or at least a significant number of them was offering an integrated years and years ago. They did not invent it this year, or the last. They have improved them over the decades that they have been selling integrated amplifiers and they would like to sell them now, too. You have to forgive them that. That is their job and not a global conspiracy.

As it is obvious from this thread and for a number of reasons, many people are welcoming the opportunity to buy an integrated amplifier.

Someone messed up my bicycle. It clearly says XL but has no sloped top tube.

I have been using integrated amps for years,good ones,I am not missing anything by using them and I am saving something and those in the know,know...I got separates also,the only benefit of separates is you have more to do and as "we" know some people like to tweak more than to listen...just saying.