2. amps-preamps
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After years of separates, I'm going integrated. Anyone else do the same?

I'm rethinking my listening room. I want my audio rack to be more minimalist vs lots of boxes, wires, and clutter. I know separates, in general, will sound better. However, at the level of my system, I'm not certain the difference would be as apparent. In the grand scheme of things of Audiophilia, my level of components are mid-fi at best (BHK Pre, First Watt J2, Elac PPA-2 phono, Pro-ject s2 Dac, ZU Omen Defs)

I'm favoring one of the Luxman Class A's (I know Luxman is getting out of the Class A business. The only way I would favor a built-in Dac is if it were upgradable like McIntosh or Accuphase. I'm guessing a Luxman or Mac built-in phono would sound just as good as to what I have now (Elac PPA-2).

So the question is, who else has gone to integrated? Do you regret the move or are you glad you did?

 

aberyclark
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,202 posts
 

If you are not married to the meters ,then Coda Audio design makes excellent products made in U.S.A Nelson Pass engineering team 

at $7k retail. Maybe a little less See Mike at Audio Archon , 3 power choices 

lower power higher 1st watts in pure class A .  No where else will you have 120 amps short term ,and dead quiet potted transformer ,not open core toroidal transformer and 3,000 Va , most are 6-800, 80+k capacitance ,

electronic BB class A preamplifier , and feel it’s a steal and One of the best against anything at $10 k  and 10 year warranty, 5 years transferrable warranty !!

steveashe's avatar
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steveashe
113 posts
 

I have a Pass INT-25.  While I moved from separates preamps / amplifiers to integrated amps years ago, I still use an external DAC and phono preamp.  Speaking for myself, I see no reason to have a separate line preamp and power amp these days.  

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,899 posts
 

NO, why would I want my sound quality to go backwards?

I agree!

 

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,397 posts
 

Going to an integrated amp does not mean sound quality goes backwards. It may or may not and a lot of it is highly subjective. Like with pretty much everything.

You have to try it to know. Buy from vendors with good return policy and there is little risk. You can’t know for sure until you try. It’s nice not having to deal with all those separate boxes and wires. If you have older gear don’t discount that technology improvements over the years can make a huge difference. What worked even just  ten years ago is not the same as what may work today.

pani
1,219 posts
 

https://conradjohnson.com/cav45-stereo-control-amplifier/

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