user poll on seperates vs integrated

nonoise: that technics unit you mentioned is beautiful, i'd definitely take a look at that one.

yeah echoing your statement, i hear a lot lately about how far integrated amps have come.  the thing is that the audio press essentially only print positive reviews, so it's hard to ever tell what is or isn't the way to go. 

when i was purely considering separates, i was looking at parasound, bel canto, primaluna, rogue, as those had separates in my budget that were pretty well-reviewed, but those are all kind of mid-budget mainstays and i was curious what else was out there.  for the same money if i was looking at integrated units, particularly if i start looking at open box deals, dealer trade-ins etc, i could be looking at things like esoteric, or BAT, whose separates are way out of my budget so i hadn't otherwise considered them.

my dream list with pros and cons mainly being the looks, the price and that most of them I never heard

Hegel H120

Parasound Halo HINT 6

Primare I35 Prisma

Simaudio Moon 600i v2

Moonriver 404 REFERENCE

I’ve read about the benefits of integrateds (have only used separates since my first integrated, which is still in use.)

Came back from monoblocks for convenience. Of most importance beyond usefulness to me is the feature set - RC everything (balance, mono, tape loop, etc.), processor loop(s), balanced in/out, at least 5 inputs, etc.

If I must have tube sound a myriad of buffers get me close enough, love my FOZ SSX. Much better Fosgate sound than the cheap SS unit that it replaced.

I do enjoy two tube headphone amps, both have SS output stages.

Most of the time I listen to ESLs through RC DACs feeding Class D SS power.

I can play HiFi

music 24/7 @ under 20 watts out of the wall.

@chrisryanhorner

Ok .. A year plus ago my budget was 15-16K. I purchased a McIntosh MA-12000, but suffered with room placement in that the equipment rack is between speakers, whereas a preamplifier and separate power amps would have allowed for the equipment rack along a side wall and balanced interconnects to the power amplifiers. Separates with added interconnects would have been of higher cost, but the dealer suggested that performance was also improved.  I’m happy with what I have,  but should have considered separates.

At that price many good sounding options either way.

Depends on what you value. Convenience/space savings versus flexibility.

Also what features you need or value

With integrated devices the professionals have integrated things for you. If you do it, that job is yours. Results can vary from top notch to not so great depending on how well you do the needed integration. That requires some technical knowledge to get it done right. Trial and error can be a long road that can  lead anywhere.