2. amps-preamps
  3. 1211361144

2-3K, Integrated or Seperates

Hello all, I'm considering assembling a secondary system on a budget. I think all most would agree that seperate pre and power amps are the way to go if you have the money to spend.

In the price range up to 3000, there are a bunch of really nice integrated amps out there. What do people think, at this price point would you be better off with a very good integrated, or seperates?

I'm thinking of using this system in a relatively small space with stand or shelf mounted monitors.

Thanks
bmdduck
bar81
791 posts
 
Have to agree, probably integrated. Ayre Ax-7e pops to mind from personal experience and comments of others.
leatherneck1812
116 posts
 
Integrated. 1 less power cord. 2 less cables. Less electricity. Less space needed. Less time tweaking and more time listening. At 2-3k lots of choices on some very fine amps.
mordante
511 posts
 
I agree with Bar81 but only if you have easy to drive speakers. I tried the Ayre but my "cheap" Rotel RC1070 had better control over my speakers.
Post removed 
thedautch
329 posts
 
While integrateds may always involve a sonic compromise compared to separates, I really feel the gap is diminishing as separates become better and better in quality.

I personally shelled out a little more than 3k for a used Simaudio i7, but have heard other integrateds in your price range that are all but equal to separates. In many cases, it came down almost to personal preference rather than objective superiority/inferiority.

And, as has been noted already, it just makes your entire setup less encumbered with power cords, interconnects, etc.
More to discover