Preamp/amp far superior to just int. amp.?

The reason separates are usually preferred is that the integrated equipment often shares power supplies. This get to be a bigger deal when the power supplies operate both channels. Additionally, a great deal *more* care has to be paid to ground loop and layout issues in integrated amps.

OTOH the connectivity issue brought up earlier is very real.

The ability to place your monoblock amplifiers near the speakers (keeping the speaker connection as short as possible) and then drive a longer interconnect from the preamp is where separates really shine. If you run balanced line to do this, most of the connectivity issues are overcome.

Regafan:

I remember your first post from a few weeks back about your Tannoy speakers that date back to the late 80's and whether they are keepers or not.

It seems like you are looking to upgrade your system, have a very real defined budget, and are looking for suggestions as to what to do next.

The old argument about buying separates (40 years ago) was that it allowed a reasonable upgrade path and also, if one component were to break down, it was easier and usually cheaper just to fix or replace the one item. Today, audio hobbyists change out (upgrade) equipment long before a component reaches the end of its useful life.

The thing to keep in mind is that you will reach a point in audio where diminishing marginal returns set in and upgrading to a real improved level (as opposed to different) will cost a significant amount of cash ... buying new or used not withstanding.

At the $2000 level (let's assume new), an integrated is still your best bet. An integrated with main outs which allows for a preamp change would be give your more options. To your original question, my experience has led me to think that most manufacturers have a certain "house" sound, so going up a manufacturer's line gets your "more better" of that house sound. I am sure that there are exceptions.

Going back to my original answer to your post, I think the next step is to consider the "tube" option. I was a "died in the wool "solid state fan until I took a chance on the Prima Luna Prologue Two about 2 years ago. It is not that there is no going back to solid state, it's just that a good tube set-up will give you sound and satisfaction that I have not heard in many solid state amplifiers, especially in the $2000 range.

Granted my tastes may run to the contrary as I have never been thrilled by some of the speakers that are highly touted here (eardrums that have been burst several times probably helps). But I do have both tube and solid state set-ups in my house that use the same speakers, the components are all pretty good in their own right, and so, I see the the tube/solid state paths as different ways to go. It probably all converges at the $20K point or so and I have no real desire to get there.

Regards, Rich

Rich:

Excellent response to my question. I really appreciate your insight and I will definitely take it to heart and keep my integrated for now until I can eventually audition some tube equipment. Until then, I will buy a DAC for my Squeezebox and/or a used, quality CD player until I can afford upgrades.

Thanks again.

For 2K I would second the integrated route though there are lots of paths to salvation....good luck,Bob

I took everyone's advice and upgraded to a Rega Mira 3. No seperates for now, just the Rega quality integrated.