integrateds in the modern age: consensus?

I bought my Plinius 8150 integrated in New Zealand, the country of manufacture. So I didn't have to pay transportation costs for an import or any agent or distributor markups. At the price there are no separates that come anywhere near its performance. Maybe it is not so clearcut where Plinius is competing overseas.

Plinius 9100 & 9200 are definitely on my short list. I have to drive about 6 hours to hear one though, unless I care to order without an audition.

Have not an integrated yet with a TVC.

Pots and electonic/digital volume attenuators leave something to be desired IMHO.

YMMV of course.

If I were into SS sound I would have an integrated amp provided it had high power and current delivery capacity so it could drive different speakers easily. That way I wouldn't have to buy a new unit if I changed speakers. But I'm not.....

I like tubes and I like the flexibility of being able to make tonal adjustments by just changing tubes to accomodate different placements, rooms, speakers or new source equipment. Having a pre-amp gives me one more location to make changes (although I rarely mess with the pre-amp). Tinkering can be fun on a rainy day! :-)

here's a shocker.....last time i checked, many worthy tube pre amps as well as ss integrateds had tone controls..... everyone from saul marantz to frank mcintosh saw as a way to adjust your stereo system's balance to the room it is in. this beats changing tubes everytime you scoot your speakers around or move to a different room or change listening chairs