Reading the best integrated amps under $15k thread quickly followed by the February TAS report on RMAF I was struck by the number of highish/high end integrated amps that have been launched in recent years and at RMAF last year.
As I posted on the above mentioned thread I have never regretted exchanging my Naim 500/552DR pre power amps for my Vitus SIA 025 integrated which I found sounds significantly better and saves me money on cables, supports and grounding. So much more convenient.
Are pre power amps really worth the extra cost compared with the new and recent integrated amps that are now available? I can imagine that the really high end separates almost certainly will be better but I am not sure that in the up to $30 k price bracket the pre/power combos justify their extra cost and inconvenience.
Would be interested to hear what people think.
As I posted on the above mentioned thread I have never regretted exchanging my Naim 500/552DR pre power amps for my Vitus SIA 025 integrated which I found sounds significantly better and saves me money on cables, supports and grounding. So much more convenient.
Are pre power amps really worth the extra cost compared with the new and recent integrated amps that are now available? I can imagine that the really high end separates almost certainly will be better but I am not sure that in the up to $30 k price bracket the pre/power combos justify their extra cost and inconvenience.
Would be interested to hear what people think.