A separate category for Integrateds?

[wpines]

They really are their own category. For instance, I wanted to post a link to this little gem, but wasn't quite sure where it would go best.
Harman HK990
Harman Kardon - HK 990 - 150 watt, stereo-integrated amplifier
I believe the feature set on this piece will soon be standard fare on all upscale integrateds. Nice features, nice specs, nice looking.
This little thing is developed by the laboratories at Harman. It should be a giant killer.

[BuffaloBill]

You won't find much interest or respect for integrateds here.

[KMC45]

Brad,

That HK 990 looks very interesting.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

You won't find much interest or respect for integrateds here.

I'm not so sure about that; I own three of them:

MA6600
MA6900
MA7000

[wpines]

Harman developed a companion CD player and launched them together.
Harman HD990
Harman Kardon - HD 990 - High-performance CD player

Harman-Kardon HD990 CD Player review from TechRadar UK's expert reviews of CD players and recorders

Originally Posted by KMC45

Brad,

That HK 990 looks very interesting.

[wpines]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

You won't find much interest or respect for integrateds here.

I would generally agree with that. Part of the problem with the lack of interest is that they're kind of mixed into the seperates discussions. If they had their own category, it would be easier for those considering integrateds to find information.

I think that between the lousy economy, entry level audiophiles, and evolving technologies, integrateds have a promising future coming for audiophiles.

Manufacturers, like Harman, are looking to get out of HT and back into 2 channnel and they are introducing new integrateds at an astonishing rate lately. Pass, Plinius, McIntosh, Harman, etc. all had new and evolved integrated offerings this past year.

[BuffaloBill]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I'm not so sure about that; I own three of them:

MA6600
MA6900
MA7000

You own at least three of everything.

[kfr01]

Originally Posted by wpines

They really are their own category. For instance, I wanted to post a link to this little gem, but wasn't quite sure where it would go best.
Harman HK990
Harman Kardon - HK 990 - 150 watt, stereo-integrated amplifier
I believe the feature set on this piece will soon be standard fare on all upscale integrateds. Nice features, nice specs, nice looking.
This little thing is developed by the laboratories at Harman. It should be a giant killer.

Harman Kardon produces great sounding gear at nice prices. My parents are music lovers, but over the years always need reasonably priced HT receivers. HK is my go-to for them. To my ears the HK 'house sound' seems so much smoother, warmer, and more controlled than Yamaha, Denon, and other offerings (at similar price points).

[kfr01]

Originally Posted by wpines

They really are their own category. For instance, I wanted to post a link to this little gem, but wasn't quite sure where it would go best.
Harman HK990
Harman Kardon - HK 990 - 150 watt, stereo-integrated amplifier
I believe the feature set on this piece will soon be standard fare on all upscale integrateds. Nice features, nice specs, nice looking.
This little thing is developed by the laboratories at Harman. It should be a giant killer.

I'd be in favor of an integrated category. I've always liked the thought of closely coupling the preamplifier and amplifier, removing another interface that can do harm.

Plus, one of those MA6600's from Ivan is heading my direction soon. (I can barely contain my excitement).

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

You won't find much interest or respect for integrateds here.

I usually call em like I see em, and I think your comment is totally incorrect.

Over the past year or so I've seen literally hundreds of posts on AA relative to integrated amps, and there are dozens of us here who use them in our systems.

The problem with many "separates" owners is the fact that they have a hard time accepting the fact that there are at least several "great" integrated amps that sound as good as, and in many cases, better than all but the very best separate components.

I own both in my systems. I have excellent separate components, (Spectral) and an excellent integrated amp, (McIntosh MA7000)and I really don't prefer one over the other. The two are in different systems in different locations and I play both, depending on what I want to hear and where I happen to be.

I just noticed that you own integrated amps and I'm having a hard time figuring out what prompted your comment.