Have you ever used an integrated amplifier in one of your systems? Why and what did you think?

Separate preamplifiers and power amplifiers have long been considered standard audiophile fare, but sometimes the economy and convenience of an integrated amp can't be beat. Have you ever used one?

Have you ever used an integrated amplifier in one of your systems? Why and what did you think?
Yes, in the past
34% (132 votes)
Yes, currently
54% (208 votes)
No, but am thinking about it
4% (15 votes)
No
8% (32 votes)
Total votes: 387

COMMENTS
Eldon Smith's picture

I am currently using the Pathos Twin Towers and it is a wonderfully transparent integrated amplifier. Having used more expensive separates in the past, I not only save space on my rack, but also was able to free up some cash by selling a redundant interconnect to improve my phono front end.

Dan Craven's picture

I have been for years. I'm in school (still!) and have little space and even less discretionary income. I believe at the price point I am limited to that the best quality can be had in integrateds. Currently its a Musical Fidelity X-A2, which actually is much less expensive than my previous integrated, but in my estimation sounds far superior.

Petter's picture

The Electrocomapaniet ECI 3 just sounds great combined with Dynaudio 1,3 and ECM-1 CD player.

Ron Fox's picture

I am currently using the Krell 300i sinced purchased new in 1997. Prior system was a conrad-johnson PF2 & MF200. I love the detailed sound and taught bass of the krell, no interconnect worries and an excellent preamp section and amp all for the cost of either piece of the cj. my wife loves the convenience of turning on one piece. I can also preamp out the integrated to my subwoofer or Jolida tube amp.

Anonymous's picture

VTL sith Vandersteen 2Ce sounds great.

David Hoffman's picture

I had Rotel separates but wanted to upgrade. After listening to many combinations I settled on the SimAudio Moon I-5 integrated and never looked back. Absolutely fantastic -- I can't believe ST has never given it a listen and a write-up in his column.

Rick Shapiro's picture

it sucked!

macksman's picture

As I write this in my 31' X 21' office at the manufacturing plant I manage, I am listening to John Prine's Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings through Linn's Classik and Ruark Epilogue R's using Linn bi-wire cable. The room is filled with MUSIC! This little jewel is a far cry from the JVC integrated I had in the early '70s and much closer than I'd like to admit to my seriously expensive home rig. I think this is the one we'll take when we retire to a simpler life in 8 or 10 years.

Herv's picture

My second system is powered by an integrated amp. Of course, even if I personally think that ultimate performance lies in separates, integrated gear saves space, money, and adds some convenience. Separates afford the best sound because tiny source signals are difficult to handle when close to output stage power supplies. Separates also offer allow more flexibility in matching amp/preamp in order to obtain the desired sonic signature. But I could live with an integrated, especially in a less critical system.

JV's picture

At the time I purchased my integrated amp, it was better than the separates in the same price catagory. Since that time, about five years ago, I think integrated amps just keep getting better and better. I'm considering making a move to a tube integrated. Just look at integrated amps from the likes of Krell and VTL and you see you can get a good quality amp for a reasonable price. I try to keep simplicity in my system and an integrated amp is a big step towards that.

David L.  Wyatt jr.'s picture

It was a Lafayette, and I used it in the 'starter system' my father gave me as a kid. It wasn't half bad either, for what it is, but I've been using separates for years, and I don't plan to stop

allan stock's picture

My wife and I were auditioning speakers two years ago. We visited Soundex, in Willow Grove, PA, where my father bought his equipment twenty-nine years ago, and listened to a variety of speakers, all powered by a Krell KAV 300r receiver (It was their smaller integrated amp equipped with a Sequerra tuner). I began to think about all the boxes and wires at home, and how complicated my life was already. It looked well-thought-out, sounded great, and it was real easy to use! We bought the receiver. I'm comfortable not being an audio purist this time around. I gave my cousin all my gear, except the Linn, bought Red Dawn interconnects and I'm done -- at least for now.

Barry Klawans's picture

I used a NAD 3240 integrated amplifier for over 10 years. At the time I was on a pretty strict budget, and space was a concern to. Eventually I purchased a seperate amplifier and continued to use the NAD as a preamp.

Enlil's picture

In the bedroom, to accomodate the bride's taste, and also save money to apply to the main system. It is surprisingly satisfying.

Michael Nevins's picture

Denon PMA-720 has served me well. A Class A integrated with MC & MM phono stage and tone defeats. I am currently eyeing the Musical Fidelity integrated amps!

Rick S.'s picture

It was fine, but limited in sound quality

Chris Younkman's picture

My Acurus DIA-150 beat out several pre/amp combinations costing a good bit more. Technically, it's not an integrated -- it's a sensitive amp with passive volume and source selection. Can't beat it at the price.

CH2's picture

I found a MARKED improvement upon trashing it. (Some of this distaste could come from the fact that it was a Sony)

William Davis's picture

count down on the amount of components and for simplicity sake.

Aris's picture

Thanks to a now extinct rag that shall remain nameless I purchased a Kenwood integrated DC amp rated .02% distortion. Biggest mistake of my life, sticking forks in my eyes would have been less painful.

Don Bilger's picture

I used an integrated amp -- a Dynaco SCA-80Q, which I built from a kit -- in my first "real" component audio system. That amp is still in daily use, 25 years later, driving a pair of 1977-vintage B&O speakers in my kids' Nintendo system. Gotta love those old Dynakits . . .

Keith York's picture

Yes, I currently use an integrated amp in my bedroom, and in my garage system. No serious listening in either of these spaces. The integrateds take less space. I feel that an integrated is perfect for this type of listening.

Mick Jones's picture

We don't want no stinking integrateds.

Humberto Leonffu's picture

Quickest way to two-channel nirvana.

Steve Audio's picture

a good old NAD 3020 for college waaaay back, and recently a nasty sounding Onkyo for a 3rd system. The Onkyo is now history.

John's picture

My first "high-end" piece was a Classe CAP-100. I enjoyed it immensely. It was a good entry point, saved an interconnect expense, and had few compromises. But, OHHHH that upgrade bug, I guess separates were the goal all the time.

Antonio Lobo's picture

I have a small office at home where I spend many hours working on the computer. A good quality integrated amplifier and a pair of good small speakers have proven to be the ideal system for the limited space available. My system consists of an Electrocompaniet integrated amplifier (120 watts), Viena Acoustics Mozart speakers, and a Sony DVP-S7700 of which only the CD playing capability is used.

tabaca's picture

long long ago in a land far far away there was a budding audiophile that couldn't afford a seperate pre-amp/amp but he knew he had to have more than a receiver so he bought a kenwood intergrated amp and tuner combo and it was good just good not great, not accurate just good. by good i mean it played music and was not a receiver i was the envy of the unknowing

Shepherd Reynolds's picture

In my opinion, my NAD 317 blows away many amplification stages costing much more and using many more bells, whistles, decorations, etc.

Peter Randell's picture

Have always used integrated amps.

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