So in the end, would a high quality integrated be the best way to go (assuming one likes the sound of the unit) due to one less pair of cables, electrical cord, etc?
In the end, yes. Because what the separates proponents always leave out is the cost of all that other stuff you mentioned- "cables, electrical cord, etc". Also the single biggest cost factor in a component is the box- the chassis, faceplate, knobs, etc. The "real estate" mentioned above. Every component manufacturer has to turn a profit, money spent on the box is money not spent on the parts that go inside the box, what makes it sound the way it does. You can pay for real estate, or you can pay for quality parts. Cannot have your cake and eat it too.
Also what you want to really get the most out of your whole system is a whole system. Not just a few boxes, but the stuff connecting, powering, supporting, and the room they are in. So you take your budget, whatever it is, divide into integrated, power cord, Pods, and fuse. Then do the same for preamp, amp, TWO power cords, TWO sets of fuses and Pods, PLUS an interconnect. Now all of a sudden you are comparing one really nice integrated with a budget amp and preamp. This is the reality of separates.
At the very highest levels of performance then that is probably the only way to go. Now you are talking 4 digits on the low end to 5 or 6 - per component! They never mention any of these cost factors. Even when you bring it up. How convenient.
