Stereophile class â€œAâ€ integratedâ€™s - are they held up to the same standard? - Mike in NJ

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Stereophile class â€œAâ€ integratedâ€™s - are they held up to the same standard?

I was just wondering the consensus regarding Stereophileâ€™s designation for their integratedâ€™s that fall under class â€œAâ€
(I understand that this is subjective, and you should evaluate on your ownâ€¦)
But just looking at some of the integratedâ€™s that make the cut, it seams that there are some real bargains to had (thatâ€™s if they are held up to the same standards of separates)
Just looking over the years at the â€œrecommended listâ€ you could say that separate amps and pre amps that fall under class â€œAâ€ are approximately the same or double the price of the integrated amp.
Factor in that you need both an amp and pre-amp you could be looking at a 75% savings by purchasing one integrated amp. (Not even factoring the savings on cables).
However, Iâ€™m wondering if held up to the same standard of separates these integratedâ€™s would be class â€œBâ€.
Did Stereophile do this because their class â€œAâ€ page for integratedâ€™s would be empty, so they decided to take the best of their class â€œBâ€™sâ€ and move them into the class â€œAâ€ page?
Not trying to be a troll, I am looking to consolidate some of my gear and an integrated amp (if truly as good as separates) looks very invitingâ€¦..
Of course my ears will be doing the evaluations before a purchase, not the magazines, but I am interested in others opinions.

Thanks

Mike

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Topic - Stereophile class â€œAâ€ integratedâ€™s - are they held up to the same standard? - Mike in NJ 08:27:17 01/6/10 (8)

It seems each category of gear has a separate standard / reference - Bambi B 00:44:15 01/13/10 (0)

RE: Stereophile class â€œAâ€ integratedâ€™s - are they held up to the same standard? - gastwa 20:23:54 01/8/10 (1)

I had a similar experience - rottenclam 22:19:41 01/24/10 (0)

RE: Stereophile class â€œAâ€ integratedâ€™s - are they held up to the same standard? - kentaja 08:16:04 01/8/10 (0)

RE: Stereophile class â€œAâ€ integratedâ€™s - are they held up to the same standard? - Frank I 06:01:42 01/7/10 (0)

Sort of - Frihed89 00:10:24 01/7/10 (2)

Hmmm but remember... - RGA 13:40:55 01/20/10 (0)

Very interesting - Bill the K 03:35:23 01/7/10 (0)

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Stereophile class â€œAâ€ integratedâ€™s - are they held up to the same standard?

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