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Why the facination with integrated amps?

I don’t get it. Is it the manufacturers spotting a trend with the tail wagging the dog or does a significant market segment truly prefer the idea of an integrated?
Pros;
Less space
One less set of IC’s
In theory-one less chassis/case to pay for
Shorter signal paths possible
Can combine transformer/cap function
Cons;
Power supply interference/spuriae
Reduced Flexibility-can’t switch amp or preamp as easily or go to monoblocs
Less resonance control
Long history of lesser performance per measurements and long-term subjective listening
Less resale value if it turns out to be a fad
Less liklihood of an extremely high performing active preamp

I freely admit I am a skeptic. The industry-like so many others-looks for new market niches to move product. 
FWIW, the only integrateds I myself would care to audition would be from Esoteric and Luxman who have a long history of designing no-compromise (low-compromise) high-end integrateds. 

128x128fsonicsmith
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
324 posts
 
The answer to your question is in the way its asked. All your pros are technical considerations, nothing about sound quality. Then the cons are also all technical, except for "long term subjective listening" which the giveaway there is "subjective". Nobody says "subjective" except to be derogatory, further adding to the obvious bias.

You like the technical stuff, be proud and open and honest about being a technophile. Own it. Just don't try and kid a kidder. I've shopped and compared and lived with both integrateds and separates long enough to know that if all you care about is sound quality for value you simply cannot touch a good integrated with separates for anything resembling the same amount of money.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
4,637 posts
 
The future is in one box wonders with dac, room correction, DSP functions, streaming, pre and amp all in one box.  Short signal paths and built in synergy are huge upsides.  Advances in DSP, Class D and digital are bringing a whole new world of lightweight  and terrific sounding gear.  Separates are not the future and sales will continue to decline. That pretty much sums it up in a couple of sentences. 
erik_squires
5,268 posts
 
Space, total outlay, and complexity are big one's for me. I mean, think about it, the ideal bit of stereo kit is a unit the size of a paperback romance that does everything via a remote tablet or phone.

Add in an integrated with a good digital or phonograph section, and the question really is why would anyone insist on separates?

There's also a lot to be said for how and when we cycle through gear. I mean, if you are a serial audio buyer, then integrateds may not be your thing.

One of the important benefits of an integrated by the way may be reduced circuits. Your switching and volume control no longer need to be as complicated or built for all possible options of amplifier. You can design this with fewer parts and more certainty that one is going to match with the other. Not to mention the potential for noise and ground loops introduced by going out of the pre and into the amplifier.
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith OP
334 posts
 
Grannyring; short signal paths is the equivalent of “unfiltered’” in wine. It sounds like a great idea in theory but in pactice there is little corrollary between it and long-term satisfaction. ‘Built in synergy”? Other than input/output impedence and gain, things that are easily checked for, there is no reason to think such an argument is valid. I could as validly argue the buyer of an integrated has less ability to “season the flavor” by mixing and matching. Class D? I don’t need to go into the sonic deficits of Class D do I? 
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