SQ in integrated vs. separates

Early B.

Always wondered if there was a difference in SQ between separates and an integrated amp at similar price points. For HT, the reasons for getting into separates are pretty clear -- you typically get better SQ. But with 2-channel systems, I'm not sure. For instance, generally speaking, will a $1,200 amp/pre combo sound "better" than a $1,200 integrated amp? If not, then the reasons for buying separates has nothing to do with SQ. Is this correct?

faster100

with all the great HT receivers out there i can't see the reason for separetes in a HT, besides trying to run 4 ohm loads or lsi's if you will, My rti's and denon do great!! as for 2 channel id say the integrated tube units are close to the same as a pre/amp combo but some of the SS integrates i would think have alot more in them to mess with the quality of sound.. ie: swithes, circuit boards, extra's in some units... the tube gear of late seems to be clean and to the point, and in some cases point to point with no boards.... a much cleaner signal path.. However i'll let the "pro's" chime in on this one as all i have had are receivers and pre/amp combo's except for my old kenwood integrated in my bedroom system...

my 0.02 cents

George Grand

If you want to listen to Jupiter from Holst's "Planets" played with all the heft and weight a full symphony orchestra can muster, and your speakers are the slightest bit insensitive, a 50wpc integrated amp isn't going to hack it. A 100wpc integrated isn't going to hack it. Hell man, a 150wpc integrated amp probably won't cut it. Get HEFTY!

George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

jdhdiggs

I would still go seperates as it keeps more options open: You can find a pre you really like and an amp you really like. Or maybe a combo that works really well together. With an integrated, you have to replace the whole unit to do any experimenting. So unless you know a particular integrated is "your sound" or a final piece, I'd stay with seperates.

As to which sounds better, as with everything audio, there is some gems and dog turds under both labels at all price brackets. Experiment and find what you like.

Early B.

Do separates create complications -- i.e., more stuff getting in the way or altering the signal such as two different power supplies, extra power cord, extra interconnects, different parts, more parts, etc.?

Just asking these questions to increase my understanding of the 2-channel world. I have a tube integrated amp, primarily because I was trying to minimize costs at the time. My friend has high quality tube separates (Audio Research) and SQ-wise, I can't really tell the difference between his system and mine. Am I missing something?

madmax

It truely depends on who designed it, the quality of components and quality of production. I like seperates because I can pick and choose as I wish. Of course then you start adding in very expensive cables and can have unknown mismatches between equipment. I think in general people who design seperates do a better job with each component. There are tradeoffs on price with integrateds. As a manufacturer if you have one power supply which can run the whole thing then you just saved money and can spend it in other areas. Of course many would still charge the same price and pocket the profits. If you pocketed the savings then you are probably going to lack in quality because you have multiple stages pulling from the same supply with no added benifit elsewhere. If you put the savings elsewhere then you may end up with a better sound even though you are still pulling from the same supply.

Too many factors to draw a conclusion.

madmax

2+2

If you want to listen to Jupiter from Holst's "Planets"

OT
George,
That is one of my audio test pieces as well...along with Dvorak Sym 9 and Saint Saens Sym 3....puts all things to the test....:D

George Grand

I like it a lot, and have trouble listening to any other version than The Boston Symphony conducted by Steinberg.

I've heard versions that sounded like Tinkerbell's theme song or something.

Don't like Dutoit/Montreal, Ozawa/L.A.,
Bernstein/N.Y. It has to be The BSO for me.

Guy (Holst) had a great imagination huh?


George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

organ

I like seperates more because you can pick which pre and amp you want to use. The combination is endless.

Yes, it is more components than an integrated and can be more complex but the hardcore seperates fans look at the seperation of low voltage units (pre) and high voltage (amps) as a big plus.

Maurice

LuSh

I've been busy with this question myself. Flat earthers will always point to the pre-amp/amp combos but an influx of newschoolers think high end intergrateds are now the answer. For years intergrateds weren't even an answer because nobody made anything of note. YBA changed all that with the Intregre. Soon other high end company's started to make high quality intergrateds. Krell, Musical Fidelity, SimAudio, Classe', Blue Circle, Plinus, Jeff Rowland, etc etc etc...if absolute current and bi amping is the direction you NEED in order to drive your speakers properly then yes, separates are the only answer.

The polk audio LSi's are realatively easy to drive, within the realm of the high end. The price shoots way way up for separates once you factor in quality interconnects and possible powercords. I've considered it, and I'm pretty sure my next electronic upgrade with be another Intergrated, by either SimAudio like the i-5 or Classe's 151. If I could afford it I'd take a poke at the Jeff Rowland Concentra intergrated.
http://www.audiophilia.com/hardware/concentra.htm

F1nut

Hey Lush, good to see you back.

I agree, there are some very nice high end integrated amps available these days that equal and surpass separates. I chose a high tone integrated over high tone separates for my main rig, no regrets at all.

marker

I have an old Adcom GTP400 tuner/preamp. Would you guys consider that to be seperates?

I realize a preamp having it's own dedicated power supply is probably better than a shared one, but I thought the main thing was to seperate the nasty tuner from the power amp section, like in integrateds and tuner/preamps like mine.