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
havocman
350 posts
 

nope would never do it separates are always better sounding, I have the Sim audio p8 preamp and the w8 amp never going to give them up.

skyscraper
830 posts
 

I'd prefer the separates, but since good quality interconnects are so expensive it makes sense to me to go integrated as much as possible to avoid that cost. That's only if you can maintain the same quality sound at your price point. Put your money into the components rather than extra wires. I suppose if you've way too much money a few extra thousand might not make any difference. 

Mike

 

eugene81
270 posts
 

I tried in 2 systems, but just came full circle back to separates in both.  I guess I realized I'm more picky than I thought.  I also like to try new things, mostly DACs.  I'll continue to keep an open mind and evaluate new integrateds, but I'm pretty happy with the sound I'm getting from my current separates.  I went through some good ones in the last year: McIntosh MA352, Hegel H390, Accuphase E650, Mola Mola Kula (w/Tambaqui), Boulder 866 (digital).  All great in their own right, but just missing a little something.  I would have stuck with the Accuphase if I didn't happen upon my longstanding "dream amp".  In my other system, I would have stuck with the Boulder if I hadn't tried an MSB Analog DAC, which the Boulder's built-in DAC, as very good as it is, couldn't quite stand up to.

The moral of the story is: if you're happy with what you've got, don't try anything else!!

alan60's avatar
alan60
180 posts
 

I had separates  for years, now using a Jadis I50 with built in DAC and absolutely loving it.

Don't knock it until you try it.

retiredfarmer's avatar
retiredfarmer
346 posts
 

Well I am changing the system in my bedroom around to do exactly what you are saying. I bought a serviced Wadia CD 6. That has a volume control. A set of long interconnects and a pair of mono blocks with a short pair of speaker wires. At the moment it is running through a melody h88 integrated. Sounding beautiful. I am in the hunt for the proper monoblocks at the moment. The melody is an early one made in Australia and there were oilers put into it. Upgraded small tubes. It is really a beautiful sounding amp. You might want to look for one hard to find the early ones though. You might want to look for a Canary integrated as well. I have not heard one but I have heard there seperates which are special. The problem I have is I don't do streaming so have no idea about that and the ones I know and think are good you will need another box for the streaming. 

 

Regards

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