Integrated Amps: How Good?

Although many high end integrateds are quite good, there are problems having amp power supply inside same unit as preamp, emf distortions etc. Musical Fidelity M3 integrated
has seperate case for power supply to overcome this, so it is actually similar to pre/power amp seperates. There is a savings with one less IC and one less power cord with integrateds.

I doubt if Krell, Rowland, Plinius, Mark Levison are going to say their intgrateds are as good as their seperates.....but probably cost half as much for slightly less perfect sound. To summarize integrateds are best value,
but hard to argue they have equal sound to same companies seperates.

I have owned the ML 383 for about 6 months and I am completly happy! I replaced a Meridian 502 pre and 557 amp. I will second some of what was said in the first few posts: Check out the recent review of the ML 383 at www.sstage.com and also look at Stereophiles review. Here is a quote from an ML employee, "Sonically, it's as close as we could make it to the performance of a No.334 driven by a No.380 preamplifier," he said. "And if you fail to use the best interconnect, a No.383 will be better." (List prices 334=$5900 and 380=$6500)

I don't argue that you could surpass it's performance with some separates, but at what cost? Not to mention, there is always something better.

There are advantages to both integrates and separates. All I can say is that I am very happy with my integrated amp.

It has been mentioned that some integrated amps may not be as weighty in bass, with my speakers this is not a problem. Read what the reviews have to say, they cover this well and make your assessment.

I bought mine used and I haven't talked with the guy I bought them from in awhile, but he reluctantly sold them to fullfill his desire to own a fully active Linn system. That stated, he told me he was very happy with the ML 383 but wanted to try the Linn system. The last e-mail I had from him left me feeling quite good as I know he had well over $20,000 in replacing the ML383 and speakers he sold me and stated he was having second thoughts.

Go to this link to link to reviews: http://www.madrigal.com/MLreview.htm
I notice they have another review I have yet to read.

Sorry I cannot comment on others as I have no experience.

The owner of Bel Canto did recommend buying the SETi40 over the seperate SEP1 preamp and SET 40 amp. He said it is probably more transparent than having two boxes. I'm not saying that every manufacturer can say the same thing, but he did, and the SETi40 is cheaper too...he wasn't upselling me.

Integrateds are very good these days. When I was in the market for a new tube power amp, I was struck by the sound of the Jadis integrated I came across. While I was initially leary of purchasing an integrated, I could find NO better amp(int or power) at this price point($3K to $5K). Needless to say I bought it. Soon afterward I read the manufacturer's comments on the ML integrated. Their position was that unless the a perfect match was attained by the interconnect, the new integrated would be superior in sound to their equivalents separates. All that, at about half the price.

Another point I would like to bring up, when thinking of going to an integrated from separates, we have to deal with the "mental aspect". It seems some, I include myself, have to fight the mentality that we would be down grading if going to an integrated. After all, how will it look if I have an "integrated"? *grin*