Separates or Integrated? What makes more sense?


If you had $10,000 to spend on amplification, would you put all that money and get a really great and pricey integrated amp like a Pass or Luxman. Or, would you use that 10k to buy a really great preamp and amp combo. Apart from the convenience and space consideration, hypothetically how would you choose to spend that 10k if sound was your main criterion.

J
tyan42
An addendum to what I said above:  what is your strategy here?  Mine was to simplify and reduce the clutter, the number of boxes, etc., without compromising the joy I get from playing music in my home.  I have zero regrets going to integrated with two of my systems (a Luxman top integrated, SS, and a Lyric integrated, KT150-based).  I LOVE the sounds from each system.  BUT, I am not one to sit and study, focus, squint, try to hear small differences; instead I am one to revel in the music, and have found that moving/adjusting speakers has a huge influence/effect, vs any effect from a different front-end.  But, that's just me.  
I can speak to the Raven Reflection MK2 integrated amp as I owned one for 3 years.  Is it better than Luxman or Pass or Separates?  One can only debate and 10 people would have 10 different answers.  It also depends on the speakers, cabling, DAC etc.

The Reflection sound combined with my Sonus Faber Amati  Homage Tradition speakers was just outstanding.  Clear, concise, very open, excellent bass, quiet to start.  I had KT 150 power tubes so I amped up the WPC.  I like to listen at low levels and be able to hear the twang of a guitar or cymbal.  I also like to occasionally play at 50% max power.  My house shook.  

Dave Thomson is the owner and he has some of the best tubes in the world.  He has been collecting tubes for years.  As a result, it is easy to tube swap.  His customer service is outstanding.  

Lastly, it really is a show piece.  If I was going to go with an integrated, I would definitely buy a Raven again.  


I was looking over recommended Integrated on TAS and Stereophile in the 10k range:  The Pass Int-60, Moon 600i v2, Bat Vk 3000se, Octave Audio v 80 SE, and a few others.  Any one of these in the category stand out?  I do like vinyl and tubey sound.