5 Reasons NOT to Buy an Integrated Amplifier

0:00 Start
0:12 They're a Menace
1:32 They're a Rip Off
3:30 They're a Prison
5:35 You have No Power
6:46 1 Power Supply
8:42 It's Obsolete

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[cheapaudioman]

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[caramel]

I gave up after the first point. So integrated amps are "expensive" because dealers, markups etc. And that doesn't apply to separates??
Plus I'm yet to see any situation where an integrated amp costs more than an equivalent pre/power setup, so for those of us on a limited budget, integrated is often the best bang for buck.

[chrislj]

Integrated amp bad, got it. My next purchase, an integrated amp. Seriously.

[KBoneZone]

When I upgraded the power cable on my can opener the difference was night and day. The cans now open with such musicality and holographic depth that it brings tears to my eyes.

[smargo]

ive had integrated amps that sounded better than my separates - ive had seperates that sounded better than my integrateds - it really depends on where u are at in your audiophile journey and where u are in your life - it changes like the seasons in the northeast - when i have tubes - i want solid state - when i have integrateds - i want separates - when i have separates i want integrateds - when i have class d - i want class a - there is no rhyme or reason to want i want at any given time

[LarcR]

Forever chasing "ideal" separates can be even worse than chasing the ideal integrated amp because there are so many more separates to chase. Unfortunately, the only way to know whether you are moving up is often to actually buy the unit in question. That can get expensive since dealers also make their margins on separates as well as on integrateds. Most manufacturers don't sell direct.

[barrygalvin]

I’ve had separates since the 80’s. Lots of old carver and a piece or two from Phase linear units! My first setup was a receiver from radio shack in 1980 I think it’s the STA-2100d. It still works too! Great video today Randy.

[gabrielgarza]

I will have to totally agree with you Randy. I have gone with separates 5 months ago and it's been the best. Currently running a modi multibit for DAC, using the Schiit Vali 2 ++ for the headphone/preamp, and using the Douk Audio ST-01 Pro for amp, and Sony SSCS 5 Bookshelf speakers. The clarity has been so nice and I haven't even upgraded the tubes on the Douk Audio yet. Now granted this is near field. This does give me a better understanding of what I would want once I start my journey to get my audio den set up. Next step is to get a Valhalla 2 from Schiit. Then I can have my Vali at work haha

[nelsono]

I have owned both receivers and integrated amps and loved both but I have been a separates guy for over 30 years. I had the Carver M500t power amp paired with an NAD preamp for most of those 30 years. I recently got the Schiit Freya+ preamp and I pair that with the Jeff Rowland 125 power amp. I'm a happy camper 🙂

[ericmann]

In my experience separates is just about always more expensive than integrated, even when buying used.
That's why I've been looking for a used M5si or M6si, or Atoll in200 or in300, maybe even an Exposure 3510 if I hit the jackpot and find one, then add a good dac with it, probably the Geshelli dac considering it's great price and voila.

[hankiuyi]

Thanks for all your wonderful content! There are reasons to buy integrated amps as well. Of many, few are:
1. To save rack/vertical space
2. To save money - well, this goes both ways because separates (pre amp + power amp combo) are more expensive. btw, not many companies now a ways produce pre amps
3. To simplify set up - btw, we can still hook up DACs with int amps
4. To enjoy good quality audio - quality/sound of integrated amp is as good as separates

Having said all that above, indeed, if having more options/customizations are what you need, separates are the way to go.

[bdog]

Hey Randy, great video, I appreciate you vouching for separates. In case you're not aware, I wanted to tell you about Audiolab's current integrated amps. They have a cool feature where you can change the mode from serving as an integrated to strictly serving as a pre-amp or power amp. This allowed me to upgrade it from serving as an integrated to becoming a pre-amp with a Modi dac and Emotiva power amp.

[AnthonyStabler]

I've got a Marantz 1040 I bought for $150 in 1976. A Mac Mini plugged into a Topping E50, a Technics turntable, CD transport & a Marantz cassette deck from the 80's. All pushed through a pair of Polk or Infinity speakers. Spreading that investment over 45 years makes me the 'Cheap Audio Man'. And it all sounds great! I took your recommendation for the Topping E50 because of the remote. It's nice when I'm feeling lazy.

[rhorto]

Well, it depends. I got a Schiit Ragnorak 2 (the just an amp version without a DAC or phono stage.) I spend half the year listening to the Raggy, and then the other half of the year I use it as a pre-amp with a Decware tube amp. Fun. And, the main reason I went that route is ease of use, space saving, etc. AND there is plenty of options to upgrade the digital front end or analog front end.

[CarlMurawski]

I dug the video! Plus I always admire the Justice poster behind you. Anyhow, I have a video idea for you: the best value system builds at $1, 000, $2, 000, and $5, 000. It would be fun to hear your picks and why you chose them.

[jewelbell]

I've had a parasound halo A21 paired with an Atoll Pr300 preamp for the last 7-8 years, I think. I love this pairing and didn't really expect to better them. Then I came across a Luxman 505uxII on audiomart for just $1600. I had been wanting to try a luxman, so I grabbed it. I must say, I never really knew what layered soundstage was till I hooked up that luxman. My dali helicons sound even better, and that was already fantastic. I will keep my separates, but move them to my 2nd system. Just to say, some integrated really are amazing and compare quite well with separates. Love your channel, btw.

[scanspeak]

I lot of us have integrated amps that we purchased 10-20 years ago, back when they did not include digital circuits, DACs, etc, and have big beefy power supplies. I still have my Marantz KI Pearl Lite and it does a great job paired with my Topping DAC. Its also the best bang for my buck.

[stereoazimuth]

Totally agree! Not only that, the preamp, the DAC, the logic, the display, the input connections (some have LAN connections), and the amp, are all run on the same transformer and power supply. So it is not just about upgrading cables or upgrading power supplies. Also power of the amplifier section is going to be compromised and limited due to size, weight, and heat constraints. Plus, if the amp dies, everything dies.

[Bartholomew]

I thought the premise of your channel was to review budget components that can produce audiophile-like sound.
The cheapest way for non-audiosnobs, uh, I mean non-audiophiles to build a good-sounding system is to do what I did:
Yamaha A-S301 INTEGRATED AMP $349.95
Polk Audio ES20 Bookshelf Speakers currently $319
Yamaha CD-S300 CD Player $150
BlueDento BLT-HD Bluetooth Adapter $110
Sounds great to this non-audiophile musician and music lover.

[benkrake]

I’m saving up for the Peachtree Audio Nova 150, and this amplifier has the ability to change the phono input stage to a normal fixed line input if you wish to use your own phono stage. It has a really good DAC that’s capable of double DSD. The Nova 150 has a generous power output of 150 watts into 8 ohms and 250 watts into 4 ohms of class D power, and has a S/N ratio of 110dB. This amplifier does have variable pre outs as well as a fixed loop designed for room correction, which I’ll be using for my cassette decks. I don’t have the room for separates, but I can see what you’re saying though.