Going from separates to an integrated. Have you been satisfied?

[techguy0192]

After approximately 18 years in this hobby, owning only separates, I'm just now entertaining the idea of owning an integrated amp. I would be curious to know if others on AK have made a similar change, that some could consider backwards, and been satisfied. It has been my observations that integrates have taken off in popularity and the performance is good. At this point I'm over the - must have separates look at all this stuff - snob factor.

If anyone has experience with higher end integrated amps, I would appreciate that feedback. My interest in shifting away from separates is focused on simplicity, less clutter, and less stuff. If I take this path I would be in the market for current production products from Luxman, Accuphase, Ayre, or possibly a Gryphon Diablo 120.

 

[Erik Tracy]

I have the Luxman L-509x

My thoughts here
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/luxman-l-509x-integrated-in-the-house.922699/

 

[vinyldavid]

I haven't heard an integrated amp I liked more than good separates. Massive size isn't required, though: I would look towards smaller components like the Hypex NC400 monoblocks and a high quality DAC/Pre like the Benchmark DAC3HGC or Mytek Brooklyn products. Small amounts of space, extremely high performance.

 

[BOUXY]

If you really are looking at "focused on simplicity, less clutter, and less stuff."! How bout a Receiver?

 

[twiiii]

I heard the Mcintosh MA 12000, 8900, 9000 and they all sound excellent. EVEn the MA 352 if you want to save a buck. But they aren't flexible enough for me. Nothing Mcintosh makes that is current is either, be they separates or integrated. Give me an old C-40 with a MP 100 or a High output Moving Coil and a MB 20 for connections with a computer and I would be set. Thats why I keep my C-34, MP100 and MB 20. I want the mode selector, Record selector, the Record monitor, the graphic tone controls and the loudness and compander features. I also want the two processing loops. Most things today have maybe two of the features I want and that isn't enough.

 

[techguy0192]

I haven't heard an integrated amp I liked more than good separates. Massive size isn't required, though: I would look towards smaller components like the Hypex NC400 monoblocks and a high quality DAC/Pre like the Benchmark DAC3HGC or Mytek Brooklyn products. Small amounts of space, extremely high performance.

Your response brings up a good point that I should have mentioned in the 1st post - I'm only interested in class A or A/B amps. The integrated amps that I would be interested in fall in the $6K to $12K range and as mentioned, no interest in vintage. With that said, this potential change isn't about selling gear to free up money, corner cutting, or other similar compromises. Just kicking around ideas for now; however, this has been a reoccurring thought for me for roughly a year or more.

 

[jobrewer1983]

After approximately 18 years in this hobby, owning only separates, I'm just now entertaining the idea of owning an integrated amp. I would be curious to know if others on AK have made a similar change, that some could consider backwards, and been satisfied. It has been my observations that integrates have taken off in popularity and the performance is good. At this point I'm over the - must have separates look at all this stuff - snob factor.

If anyone has experience with higher end integrated amps, I would appreciate that feedback. My interest in shifting away from separates is focused on simplicity, less clutter, and less stuff. If I take this path I would be in the market for current production products from Luxman, Accuphase, Ayre, or possibly a Gryphon Diablo 120.

1st off it’s not a “backwards” step. It’s lateral or even moving forward in some cases. Separates do not always equate to better sound… I speak from experience as I collect integrated amps. I have 8-9 currently in rotation.

I have had and still have a few separate systems, new and vintage.

There are many company’s offering nice integrated amps, you listed a few. One you may want to check out is Onix. Their British made amps are really nice, on par with the Luxman warmth.

Or if your unit vintage, I can say look into Optinica, ask any one on the site who has Optinica integrated amps if they dislike them. I have a few so I am a little bias, but I can say they best the MA-6100 I had.

At the end of the day only your ears can tell you what sounds good.

My advise…. Get ideas on AK for brands and models you may want to try, then go out and try to demo them and find what’s best for your ears.

I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir as you open with you had your separate set up for 18years.

I do like a few modern Accuphase amps but to my ears the E303-X



Again you may want new, but some of their older offerings are fantastic unites.

Good luck with it and can’t wait to see what ya land on

 

[jobrewer1983]

Your response brings up a good point that I should have mentioned in the 1st post - I'm only interested in class A or A/B amps. The integrated amps that I would be interested in fall in the $6K to $12K range and as mentioned, no interest in vintage. With that said, this potential change isn't about selling gear to free up money, corner cutting, or other similar compromises. Just kicking around ideas for now; however, this has been a reoccurring thought for me for roughly a year or more.

Onix…. Onix amps are usually A or A/B

The pioneer A-71 is also one to try to find… a bit crazy in size at 75lbs tho.

 

[nj pheonix]

I've been using a Marantz PM11 S-3 for a while (discontinued, Newer ones are class D . I haven't heard them) . I've been pretty happy with it. I didn't get rid of my separates, but they're resting comfortably. They'll rotate back in eventually.

 

[techguy0192]

1st off it’s not a “backwards” step. It’s lateral or even moving forward in some cases. Separates do not always equate to better sound… I speak from experience as I collect integrated amps. I have 8-9 currently in rotation.

I have had and still have a few separate systems, new and vintage.

There are many company’s offering nice integrated amps, you listed a few. One you may want to check out is Onix. Their British made amps are really nice, on par with the Luxman warmth.

Or if your unit vintage, I can say look into Optinica, ask any one on the site who has Optinica integrated amps if they dislike them. I have a few so I am a little bias, but I can say they best the MA-6100 I had.

At the end of the day only your ears can tell you what sounds good.

My advise…. Get ideas on AK for brands and models you may want to try, then go out and try to demo them and find what’s best for your ears.

I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir as you open with you had your separate set up for 18years.

I do like a few modern Accuphase amps but to my ears the E303-X

View attachment 2546209

Again you may want new, but some of their older offerings are fantastic unites.

Good luck with it and can’t wait to see what ya land on

Good post. Accuphase, Ayre (current owner), Luxman, or possibly Gryphon is likely where I will end up. To your point, an integrated doesn't mean poor or less than performance, especially these days from what I'm hearing. At a certain level, it's hard to make a bad choice as it becomes more about a sound flavor/preference.

 

[intro6]

When your title said going from separates to integrated, I couldn't help but think modular where only the speakers are separate, and I wondered why an audio inclined person would want to go that direction. But then you said integrated amplifier and it made sense. Although my entire stereo consists of separate components, I have always had an integrated amplifier, never separate amp and preamp.

 

[62vauxhall]

The late 1970’s were a long time ago. Back then I had the hots for a power/pre as the Sony and then Luxman integrated amps I lived with weren’t cutting it for me.

But the Crown, Yamaha, HK power amps I auditioned had their shortcomings too. And their much higher prices kept me from committing.

The owner of the store I was dealing at suggested I try a Kenwood Model 600 over the weekend. As it was an integrated, I felt Ike I’d be abandoning my quest for better amplification but I took him up on the offer.

I was not disappointed. Sound quality was wonderful and it performed much better than I expected. I was content with that amplifier for thirty-one years.

 

[oldflame]

If you don't need the flexibility of separates, there are many good integrated amps now, that may save some bucks.

 

[rickmoen]

I've had NAD separates and even a McIntosh MC7200 with a C37 pre. That was a huge pile! I now have a Yamaha A-S2200 and am very happy with it. While my crystal ball is out of order, I currently don't see separates in my future.

 

[vinyldavid]

Your response brings up a good point that I should have mentioned in the 1st post - I'm only interested in class A or A/B amps. The integrated amps that I would be interested in fall in the $6K to $12K range and as mentioned, no interest in vintage. With that said, this potential change isn't about selling gear to free up money, corner cutting, or other similar compromises. Just kicking around ideas for now; however, this has been a reoccurring thought for me for roughly a year or more.

Have you heard a modern class D design that's of reasonable quality? The cheap Crown stuff doesn't represent what the tech can do, but companies like Purifi, Hypex, Mytek, and Cherry really create stunning products. I went straight from a Krell to the Hypex, and while the Krell is good, the Hypex is as neutral of an amplifier as I've ever heard. What I really want to own is a Benchmark AHB2, especially now that I've heard one. But, finances don't let me. A Benchmark AHB2 with a DAC3HGC on top is about 8" tall, and much narrower than a conventional integrated.

 

[luddite]

Nothing to with sound for this listener... I liked the separates but in the end I wound up stacking integrated units for the simple reason that a turntable fits on top of them, but not on the narrower separate units I had. I noticed no difference in sound. It's always been the various speakers that sound so different to me.

 

[jobrewer1983]

Good post. Accuphase, Ayre (current owner), Luxman, or possibly Gryphon is likely where I will end up. To your point, an integrated doesn't mean poor or less than performance, especially these days from what I'm hearing. At a certain level, it's hard to make a bad choice as it becomes more about a sound flavor/preference.

correct, some folks claim that separates can sound better… That’s subjective. To many factors at play. I do understand that some folks just like having the gear displaying. Yes some separate systems can sound better, but that’s a general statement, some would say a monster receiver is the way to go….. sorry power does not always equate to good sound. My little clock radio is half a watt and it’s fantastic. So what’s right and what’s wrong?

Trust your ears Lux and Accuphase build some quality gear. Luxman is known for some amazing integrated amps.



I currently have 2 integrated amps out at the moment, an Optinica SM-7305 with some mods and an early National Panasonic. To my ears they sound better then Luxman and Accuphase and even McIntosh. That said I do love Luxman and Accuphase I’m just in a vintage kick so it’s what I have out, a year ago I had other gear in the rack, and I’m sure it will be changed again in a few months.

I’m a true believer in a quality integrated amp, I don’t run receivers any more, and some integrated amps double as amazing preamps too. So that’s something to keep in mind.

Please do post what you end up with. We also have a large music thread so it would be good to post about the SQ with some albums you are familiar with. Always good to read users experiences with new gear. Would love to know how it works out for ya. I’ll tag ya in the music thread.

 

[E2]

Have you heard a modern class D design that's of reasonable quality? The cheap Crown stuff doesn't represent what the tech can do, but companies like Purifi, Hypex, Mytek, and Cherry really create stunning products. I went straight from a Krell to the Hypex, and while the Krell is good, the Hypex is as neutral of an amplifier as I've ever heard. What I really want to own is a Benchmark AHB2, especially now that I've heard one. But, finances don't let me. A Benchmark AHB2 with a DAC3HGC on top is about 8" tall, and much narrower than a conventional integrated.

Parasound had a Class D Integrated that sold out recently. $1k. Was curious about it but I could get a couple amps I already have worked on for that price. Looked nice and simple.

This same discussion is on that other site.

 

[L. Larabee]

After approximately 18 years in this hobby, owning only separates, I'm just now entertaining the idea of owning an integrated amp. I would be curious to know if others on AK have made a similar change, that some could consider backwards, and been satisfied. It has been my observations that integrates have taken off in popularity and the performance is good. At this point I'm over the - must have separates look at all this stuff - snob factor.

If anyone has experience with higher end integrated amps, I would appreciate that feedback. My interest in shifting away from separates is focused on simplicity, less clutter, and less stuff. If I take this path I would be in the market for current production products from Luxman, Accuphase, Ayre, or possibly a Gryphon Diablo 120.

Since you have a reasonable budget to deal with a Bryston B135 cubed with the dac option is a good choice. It has alot going for it.

 

[techguy0192]

Since you have a reasonable budget to deal with a Bryston B135 cubed with the dac option is a good choice. It has alot going for it.

I've owned a lot of Bryston gear, including a new Cubed series amp and BP26 combo. I almost order a B135; however, my dealer didn't have one on display/demo....nearly purchased it without hearing it but decided to not commit without an audition.