Integrated amp: Can it perform equal to separates?

Thanks to all who have responded so far to this thread. The comments were all very helpful, though, I am unfamiliar with a few brands.

The speakers are Acoustic Zen Adagios which I love, but they weigh 95 lbs boxed, and are very expensive to ship 2800 miles from Hawaii to any California destination. Therefore, I may have to buy a smaller speaker, IF I can one that gets close to the Adagios' performance. But I will have to cross that bridge later if I can't find a local buyer for the Adagios

As far as replacing my Rega Apollo with a player that has a volume control, and use it direct with a basic power amp, I am doubtful I can find a high end player with first, a volume control, and second, a volume control that is reasonably accurate, regardless of the smooth action and accuracy that the remote may offer.

If I were to get a PS Audio or Peachtree DAC etc, etc with a volume control. I have no guarantee that an outboarded DAC is going to make a big difference in the sound of the Rega Apollo. The good DACs also have computer audio features I am not interested in, so this plan might just be throwing money away for convenience,and marginal sound improvement. Pass, CJ, ARC, Boulder integrateds are out of my price range. I have seen a few "older" Bel Canto integrated amps with 150RMS without an inboard DAC or multiple inputs for computer audio. Again, I must weigh and consider the "issue" of performance parity using a 5 or 6 year old unit versus my current separates set-up.

I'd wait until you know how your speaker situation shakes out in California before choosing an integrated. Not that you're likely to make an amp choice you'd greatly regret, but you might choose differently depending upon which speakers you end up with.

I own and have owned a lot of preamps, amps, and integrateds over the years, both solid state and tube.

Top to bottom, my Jadis DA60 is the overall best amplification I've owned.

I also have limited space for my audio, so I use an integrated amp rated at 100W per side. I have used several SS but tend to like the hybrids better for my taste. A lot of good ones out there, new and/or used.

could also look for a CD player with variable output and sell the Bel Canto but keep the red dragons ... not a ton of choices but Ayon, Resolution Audio, Wadia all have models with variable output ... Theta Miles BALANCED would be nice and inexpensive with the Red Dragons too