user poll on seperates vs integrated

Response 1.   Three boxes cost more to make than one.  At a total spend of $10k too much in hard dollars is being spent on boxes (and leads between them).  At a bigger total spend, boxes and leads are a smaller proportion of the whole.

Response 2.   Theoretically exactly the same amp(s) with the same power supply(ies) could be put in one box or in three.  The three box version would cost more.  But would it sound better?  The only difference would be the greater physical separation of the active circuitry and components.  How much sound quality can this add?

I would vote for separates, but having in mind that one will ususally spend more and it will take more time to get everything ’right’ You will need more cables, including power cables as well and more time to make ’right’ choices, between components and cables.

Even the higher class integrated amps are often not a match for a separates that might cost the same, or worse, there are very few integrated amps at all, that can match the 10k separates bought in Sh, for example. That amount of money, in sh, can get you far, meaning it will give you more than almost any integrated amp, without the cost of cables.

You can't be prescriptive as in my experience what it all boils down to is having a listen to the options you have narrowed it down to, which may include include integrated and separates and choose the one that floats your boat.

I love separates @chrisryanhorner ​​​​​​ and they've been truly the way to go for me throughout my experience with hi-fi. Starting out as with anything, or as you advance along the way and upgrade your system and or try new products with a different sound. You always have that option of keeping things you like and changing out parts you don't. Also you never know what's coming down the pipe you may very well find something that you enjoy better down the road and don't have to sacrifice the entirety of your system to get it.

I have a few systems all based around different amplification (and DAC's). And each one offers something different.

Happy hunting and good luck.

I am very happy with my MOON Simaudio 700i integrated (current retail £15.5k or $16k). If I have one very, very minor grumble I would like a second balanced input.