Integrated vs. Separates on a Budget

Out of one side of our audiophile mouths we talk about how bad home theater receivers and processors are because of all the things jammed into them, but then we rave about how great it is to have an amplifier, preamp, headphone amp, and phono stage in an integrated.  Hmm.

There's no one size fits all "right" or "wrong" answer to this question. 

Separates typically give you more flexibility.  They usually have more input/output options.  If you decide there's a weak link in your system (you need more power, you need a phono stage with more gain or loading options than the one in your preamp, the headphone amp doesn't have enough power for your new cans, etc.), you may be faced with replacing your integrated or adding another component that duplicates one of the components in your integrated.

On the other hand, an integrated may have all the features / functionality you need and require less space.  You don't have to get anything more than the amp / preamp in the integrated and can add other items as needed. 

I have 2 systems with separates and two with integrated amps.  I use what I want/need that works best in the space I have and gives me the features/functionality I want/need in that space.

Whichever option works best in your space and meets your needs is the "best".

Honestly, it sounds like you're in the early part of the learning curve.  You would probably benefit from finding a couple of dealers near you that have good reviews and spending some time describing your listening environment, what you currently have, and what you want and getting some recommendations.  Your questions are pretty broad and you would benefit more from an extended conversation that a few posts on a message board.

I own 2 tube integrated amps. Kt88 and EL34. 50 watts of tube power is more than enough to suit my comfortable decibel levels. Tubes rule!

Easy! Sugden A21se signature class A integrated @ $3250...there is NONE better at that price, sorry....I should know, as I buy and sell equipment like there is no tomorrow, and thus far, my Sugden is not going anywhere....it is a keeper.

Check out the Peachtree Nova 300 with a bluesound node. You won’t be disappointed. 

big_greg's thoughtful post is very well taken (though I'd not want to draw any inferences from the SQ from my Yammy HT receiver ;))

Certainly, a wide range of implementations could work very well at your price-point.

It does sound like this is early days for you, klimt,; if so, the first and best advice is don't hurry.  First, shopping and learning is fun, and second, you'll save yourself grief.

(Eg., Fairly early on, I sold a nice preamp, because PS Audio said you could get better sound just running the volume control on their then brand new Perfect Wave DAC (thanks Paul!).  I did this without listening (maybe I used the pre to finance the DAC).  Turned out most ANY preamp sounded better in my system than the digital volume in the Perfect Wave, including the ancient ADCOM that had gathered dust in my garage for years.)

Second, keep doing what you're doing, and talk to folks.  COVID makes it's it a bit more challenging, but if things open up, try to get to one of the Spring shows, where you can hear lots of stuff, and talk to lots of helpful folks.

And if you haven't already, do a "Any Audiophiles in [My Area]?" post.  Not only did this help a ton with my system, and lead to a lot of great listening, I've had two good friends for the past 15 years.