Which is better seperates or intergrated av amps

[The WB]

hi i would like to know given you all out there a choice regardless of budget which would you prefer seperates (eg Nad) or integrated av amps (Denon,Yamaha etc..)? the reason for this question (don't get me wrong i love my Denon avc-a1xv which is getting upgraded at the moment) i've been offered by my retail shop they would give me my money back on the amp, unfortunatley minus the upgrade of $1500 for the exchange for the nad master series. in your opinion what would you go for? I only use the amp for home theatre purposes only. or would you suggest to keep the Denon (which i really don't mind ) or am i going forward or backward by doing this? I've been hearing people saying seprates are way better by choice.

 

[skinnyfat]

Depends on your needs, most processors wont have all the latest gadgetry that the A1xv has. Personally I would go for a good Pre/Power combo over a AVR any day

 

[The WB]

do you recommend any? have you heard the Nad Master series?

 

[Knyght_byte]

i'd go for whichever sounded best........simple
(altho necessary features would also come in to it, but a lot of stuff can be added on after)

i went for a 3803 integrated when i bought mine because it had everything i needed in one box and at the time had the power and ability to handle the speaker setup i was looking to build up.....i knew that altho its stereo ability wasnt bad, it could be bettered, but i didnt mind as i knew i'd eventually get a separate stereo amp as well (which i did this year).....for the price i wouldnt have got a separate Proc/Power combo without going second hand, and i didnt want to do that as i prefer the comfort on items of this expense of some backup from a dealer....

however had i been spending £2k or so i would have had more choice with proc/power combos being available as well, i dont know for certain which i would have done then....

and sadly i wont be upgrading my 3803 for a good couple years by the looks of things so i cant answer with current products either...lol.....altho if pushed to say which i think, i'd have to say give me a couple days to go try some setups at my local 7oaks and see...lol

 

[Cable Monkey]

If you have the room for a pre-power, never mind the money then you should consider it. It may not be much of a surprise but an integrated owner (especially of the flagship amps) will tell you to buy that, a separates owner will normally recommend what he owns. Ultimately it is the personal experience that drives the advice. You need to gain you own experience. I would organise a home demo, if you are spending that kind of cash a dealer would be a fool to turn you down.