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
ps
764 posts
 

I finally sold my wonderful tube separates. It was a decision that I considered for at least two years, one which I finally made. The upside is that I greatly prefer the cleaner and simpler appearance of my listening room. The ease of operation and maintenance of a single chassis tube integrated are also big pluses.

It helps me relax and enjoy the music more. I don’t think about what I might or might not be missing.

In a way, it’s kinda like driving a freshly detailed car.

Less clutter: the music sounds better. Far fewer tubes: far less maintenance and "rolling."

Clean and shiny: the car runs and feels better. :)

rbertalotto
138 posts
 

YES!...One word....Lyngdorf!

willg1985's avatar
willg1985
46 posts
 

I went with a McIntosh MA6900 integrated and am super happy with the decision. I liked the idea of the 6900 because it's all analog, no built in DAC. I can get my separate fix from swapping out DAC's. I even added a Schiit Valhalla 2 in between my DAC and the 6900 to add a little tube sound, which again, I can tinker with if i want 😀. On my DAC, both XLR and RCA are live so I just switch back and forth between inputs for tube vs. non-tube. I'm extremely happy with it!

bigtex22's avatar
bigtex22
87 posts
 

Integrated all the way. Love the clean setup of my McIntosh MA8900, Roon Nucleus+, and Sonus Faber Olympica Nova Vs. 

ps
764 posts
 

Now that I'm "on a separates roll" maybe I'll even go from my tube integrated to a Luxman with built-in DAC card.  :).   Then it's just 3 components:
The Lux, the CDP, and the TT.  One less set of IC's,  and no spare tubes.


@bigtex22, ain't clean grand?

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