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
runwell
279 posts
 

Jeff Rowland has very soft sound, I love it. but I don't have the chance to listen his class D.

arrwax
11 posts
 

Sorry for the late arrival 

I also am thinking Integrated for my 2 channel listening.

am considering Hegel M120 & Rogue Audio Pharaoh

on the preowned market

not very much exposure to Integrated other than a Luxman integrated, back in the early 90's.

 

bubba12's avatar
bubba12
436 posts
 

I just moved from Parasound JC 1 monos and JC 2 BP preamp to a Rotel Michi X5 integrated. It's only been a few days but I am happy. I listen to mostly rock music. It sounds the same to me. More time will tell. I think if you get high quality gear it will sound great.

jpan
119 posts
 

I explored moving from my Pass XP-22 and XA-60.5s to the INT 60. (I also have the XP-17 phono stage.)

So, I reached out to Kent @Pass for his thoughts. (I've know him for a quite while.) He basically said it could be viable but in terms of sonic bliss, body and weight the integrated wouldn't match those separates. So, I decided to keep 'em separated.

I think, like most of this stuff, it really depends on the room, your speakers and the rest of your gear.

However if I were just starting out, I would go the integrated route and build around it. We can debate whether they equal separates in terms of sonics, but they can certainly be more economical.

ryder
1,687 posts
 

So, I reached out to Kent @Pass for his thoughts. (I’ve know him for a quite while.) He basically said it could be viable but in terms of sonic bliss, body and weight the integrated wouldn’t match those separates. So, I decided to keep ’em separated.

 

Did he recommend or say anything about the INT 250? If out of Pass Labs, there are many other high quality integrateds that may provide the body and weight while retaining the refinement and detail. Vitus RI-101mk2 or one of the Class A options may be a contender. Costly though. One would never know until he listens to the gear in the system.

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