An integrated amplifier can be seen as a combination of a preamplifier and 2 mono power amplifiers, built together in 1 device.
Current range of integrated amplifiers at Ohm-Audio BV
Lector ZXT-70 Integrated Amplifier
The advantage of this is mainly a financial matter. You can use the same chassis, after all. The same power supply can also be used. It simply saves costs. A second advantage is that you need to invest less in cables. The interlink between preamplifier and power amplifier is no longer necessary and it also saves you an extra power cord. Nowadays there are many very good integrated amplifiers.
These are made by, among others:
Marantz Lector Audio Acoustic Plan Accuphase Pass Krell Denon Zanden Naim Sugden And many others
There are no real disadvantages anymore. Nowadays there are extremely good integrated amplifiers. One disadvantage you could mention is that you are somewhat less flexible than when using separate pre- and power amplifiers. Also, the absolute sound quality of an integrated amplifier is not as good as what is possible with separate pre- and power amplifiers. It simply goes further in terms of sound quality. Also, with an integrated amplifier you always need longer speaker cables, especially compared to the use of monoblocks.
A good Hifi or High End installation can certainly be assembled on the basis of an integrated amplifier.
Ohm-Audio bv 2018-10
