Integrateds: Why do they all SUCK?

Stick with separates. Clearly there is nothing out there up to your standards, what ever they are. And stick with the cheapest ones you can find, because everything that is high priced is a ripoff. You will surely achieve stellar sound with your approach.

Hmmm the OP gives me the impression that his mind cannot be changed. So be it. Very, and I do mean very, recently I purchased my very first integrated which by the way includes a Phono and headphone stage along with 4 additional ANALOG connections. I'm still in the early evaluation stages but so far my reaction has been very positive. Clearly an improvement over my separates system which is also still in use. I took a chance after reading a lot of opinions and so far most opinions did not hold water. Some did though. I will write a review on this integrated matched with some difficult speakers to be posted at the end of the month. It will be my impression good and bad. The purpose of the review is to help others who may be floundering with the integrated issue.
Salute!

The OP probably can't afford a good one, hence all of the bitterness.

A re-occurring theme in these integrated units are these digital volume control schemes, usually some kind of electronically-controlled resistor ladder. Even very high-quality units everyone loves like the Esoterics use these. Virtually all solid-state integrated units use these things...from Simaudio, to Esoteric to Marantz to Luxman all the way down to Yamaha. Even the more boutique brands like Musical Fidelity...even Accuphase!

WHY??? Am I just being bigoted against these electronic line stages? Can these really provide the lushness and three-dimentionality you would expect out of a "proper" active class A line stage?