Integrateds: Why do they all SUCK?

few decades back we didn't even know what 'integrated' is. it was just an amplifier and that is it to it.
i believe that pioneer 9800 is all time world champion among just amplifiers.

Well, apart from the bumpy road he's left behind, @madavid0 does make a point.  Many integrateds often serve as the entry level products in a company's amplification lineup.

You can find some truly good sounding solid state offerings from the UK that meet your criteria.  Not surprising, the smaller living spaces push folks toward more compactness in their audio systems.

On the tube side, I and a lot of other people could live with a VAC Avatar for the long haul.  You'll have to search pretty hard to find separates that outdo it.

I could list some other products, but they don't offer a phono stage

Luxman L-590AX ii. List price of $8,995. None better at that price IMO.

My better half wanted a simpler system that was not so intimidating. We went with the Luxman 590AX ii and are enjoying it immensely.  

Integrated amps usually lack the sophisticated preamp circuitry  of a good separate preamp.  That makes a huge difference.  A really good preamp brings a world of sonic improvement to a system.  Some high-priced integrateds, like the Viva Solista, actually do contain high-end preamp circuitry, which is one of the reasons it sounds as good as it does.  

+1 @chayro  I was thinking the same thing.... and I agree with you 100%

Many integrated amps only have passive attenuation, such as voltage divider networks, which i really don't care for. I tried many times to go passive, e.g. with LDRs, transformer-based vol controls, simple attenuators with the best resistors, etc, and ALWAYS found something missing.

I know many of you may disagree with that, and that's cool, just stating why I do not like Integrated amps, based on the above. Give me a quality active preamp in front of an amp any day, any time!