The best performing components are separate boxes. I currently have both a stereo Audio Research Reference 160 stereo amplifier and the exact same design / implementation.. Reference 160 mono blocks. So the channels are separated in the mono blocks. There really is no question the mono blocks sound better. Folks may disagree if it is worth the extra cost… but I think few would disagree the mono blocks sound better.
Combining functions (holding other variables the same) reduces sound quality. Interactions of the circuits virtually guarantee this. While design and technology gets better… so does the single box solutions.
So, all things being equal… the less functions the better.