Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveJ
I second the motion! 
Disclosure, as if no one already knows. LOL Unabashed fan and owner of Pass Labs equipment, both commercial off the shelf and DIY.
As am I. I view the change in the ratio of reviews of separates systems to integrateds similar to the unfortunate trend of abandoning stereo systems in favor of home theater. The publications and writers are simply following or perhaps leading, the trend.
Stereo systems and home theater systems are two different applications. You would not expect your Ferrari to perform as well as your 4 wheel truck well off road and the Ferrari would have an advantage at the Nureburgring.
At present we do not have the technology to completely control electromagnetic effects. You can have all the mumetal, shielding, doghouses, twisted shielded and balanced wiring you want. Isolation achieved by physical distance is always better. This is the reason for separate power supplies of Pass Labs preamps.
The trend toward integrateds and all-in-ones, if there is one, is the third great tragedy in Hi-Fi evolution, the first being the virtual abandonment of analog recording. If as much effort had been put into the development and advancement of analog recording as has been diverted to the development of digital recording we would be in a much better place although I do hold out hope that digital recording can someday be improved to the point that it no longer degrades the original performance.
Hi-Fi has mostly recovered from the Home Theater debacle which resulted in the abandonment of many fine opportunities to audition equipment in local dealers, and there are a delightful selection of alternatives to the integration misadventure but will sadly never recover from the digitization debacle.
One of the greatest things about this forum is the reverence for separates systems. An appreciation for analog being another. |
Well stated - and great illustration!
The sales tide has changed since my last two-channel system purchase many years ago.
Hopefully my new system should be here by the end of the year. The journey has been rather interesting and I believe somewhat illustrates your point:
While I specifically stated I desired a two-channel audio system, the first dealer, who was very nice, tried to sell me on a high-end home theater system instead of a dedicated two-channel system, telling me it would be better and more satisfying overall. I listened, but
When that failed, he had me consider a rather high-end integrated system. While it did sound much, much better for two-channel audio, I wasn't satisfied - the sound stage, imaging, etc. were still lacking. With what the integrated was lacking, IMO, it was, but still wasn't two-channel audio "for me personally." But it was still exceptional and I did seriously consider it.
Only at the last did he try to sell me on a high-end separates. These were absolutely amazing in comparison to everything else I had heard in his shop! This is what I remembered from years ago. But why wait until the very last to show me the best two-channel system he offered (in my price range)? In my book, he should have reversed his recommendations and left home theater completely out of the mix.
Ultimately, I went with another dealer and IMO better equipment.
To my ears, the differences are substantial between separates and integrateds. When one can afford separates financially and space-wise, IMO opt for the separates. And I remain uninterested in home theater - we watch maybe 4-10 hours of TV per week, so a soundbar remains sufficient.