2. amps-preamps
  3. 176198-10803

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
rockaway07866's avatar
rockaway07866
5 posts
 

Cayin 688r - integrated amp along with Musical Fidelity M6SACD, Focal Aria 948

Musical Fidelity A3CR dual mono integrated, A M3CR CD, VPI MKIII, ET 2.5 tonearm, Grado Sonata Reference, kit built speakers using Legacy Audio components

Technics SA-5770 integrated, SL-1200M3D KAB fully modified, NHT 2.5's and 1.5's

sandstone
358 posts
 

+3 @hgeifman,  @jafant,

 and Ayre Acoustics AX-5 TWENTY.

61falcon's avatar
61falcon
120 posts
 

I'm not ready for an integrated on my main system of separates. I like it too much to even think about replacing. However, I recently purchased (thank you Craigs List) a used Hegel H160 integrated for my office system and really like it which makes me think the 390 or 590 would be really fine for a main rig. 

When I get sick of separates, I'll bet class D will be all the rage and perhaps then I'll go with an integrated of that design.

benzman's avatar
benzman
415 posts
 

Just ordered a Coda CSIB ver. 1 From Mike at Audio Archon .Will be replacing a Rogue RP 7 and Odyssey Kismet monos. Really wanted to go with a lower power Luxman but room just to big. 

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,776 posts
 

I didn’t move from, I set up a second system. I was either going to get a Luxman or a Hegel.  I ended up getting a Hegel H390. It plays Tidal without a separate streamer and the built in DAC is pretty good.  
 

All the Best.

JD

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