Are integrated amps technically better than separates?

Here, if we are going reasonably close to cost, perhaps comparing the top Luxman pre and amp to the D'Agostino amp is a closer match?

https://www.whathifi.com/dan-dagostino/momentum-integrated-amplifier/review

While I haven't heard the integrated, I've heard the amps and they are really good, so I think this would be closer.

And this gets me back to the kind of original point, while I believe it is possible to design an integrated and pre that are as good or better than their separates, with no boundaries the comparisons become kind of meaningless.

"Oh, I once heard a pre/amp that sounded a lot better than X integrated" doesn't prove anything really. Of course, neither does cost.

Best,

E

@aberyclark  I forgot to add that I also compared the Mark Levinson 585 integrated, which is the best integrated I have heard. I don't bother with stuff too expensive since I don't find uber priced gear that interesting, except speakers.

I compared, on the same system (Magico A3 speakers), the Mark Levinson separates and the ML 585. The separates also had the top end ML DAC and streamer. Each separate piece was $20K each and the 585 was $12K ($6K used). I found the 585 much closer to the top end ML separates than the similar comparison of the Luxman 509x vs the Luxman separates.

That 585 is a really good integrated and the DAC in it was rather good. Not as good as the ML separate DAC for 20K but I am never paying 20K for a DAC. I think it was 20K may have been 10K.

I was auditioning the A3 speakers and that was the system they had set up. If I have bought the A3 I would have bought the 585.

I have not heard the brand new Mola Mola integrated which has the same DAC module as the Tambaqui DAC. I have my suspicions that this unit can give the Mola Mola separates a run for it's money.

When your talking integrated of the level of Gryphon Diablo 300, Pass Int-250, Luxman 509X, Accuphase E-800, Vitus SIA-030, Audionet Humboldt, CH Precision I1 and Dartzeel CTH-8550 you might ask yourself if it's still worth going separates?

The new Bladelius Audio Oden Integrated amp !
  
http://highfidelity.pl/@main-998&lang=en

I agree seperates provide greater flexibility and separation, but I have always liked the convenience of a good IA. As such I have owned both, like many others,  I moved back to an IA, Viva Solistino,  and have no regrets....its a fine IA and if I ever wanted to add a seperate PA, I can...but probably won't. Like many have already stated, it's about personal choice and goals for their respective systems.