Wow! I didn't realize my comments were goin to ruffle so many feathers. Wow! Is this a flame war! Look, I'm not trying to say there's anything wrong with a receiver. I was just pointing out why some "separate" setups are more expensive then a receiver. First of all, (let me get this out of the way first) it is just a fact that the average "separate" system is going to out perform the average receiver. That is a fact. Your comments, "Nothing in the world of amplifier design says adding a preamp and tuner to a power amplifier's cabinet and power supply must by definition reduce its overhead. Many factors are involved and "separateness" isn't one of them." Theoretically, this may be true, but in the real world it isn't. The point of a receiver is to create an all in one solution, so obviously their are some compromises made to keep the cost down. There are some great receivers, but they just don't have the same quality amp in them that a dedicated amp has. That's just a fact. As I mentioned before, there are some flagship model receivers that can compete quite well, but again we are talking price and why separate systems are more expensive, so if one is trying to save money they aren't going to purchase a flagship model, they may as well go with separates. So getting back to what you said about receivers, yes, I suppose it's possible to make a receiver just as good as a dedicated amp, but it just doesn't happen. Here's a thought, let's take the best receiver in the world and pit it against the best processor/amp combo in the world and see who wins.
Ok, about your comments here, "The problem is that you CANNOT use a 200 wpc amplifier to its full potential without installing a special electrical service and using speakers capable of managing all that current. These things are rarely done by audiophiles. So it isn't up to the end user. It is up to the laws of physics and factors beyond the amplifier and the end user themselves. Hope that helps just a little." Doesn't this statement admit that a dedicated amp will outperform a receiver?
It is true that most audiophiles aren't going to push their 200wpc amp to it's limits, but that's not the point, the point is to have enough clean power where my amp does not have to be pushed hard. There are alot of receivers that just can't keep up and are pushed too hard. This can cause clipping!
Who want's that? The point is to have enough good power so you don't have to worry about your equiptment being pushed too hard. Also, it can improve the sound quality as well. Another point, in reference to your comments,"The problem is that you CANNOT use a 200 wpc amplifier to its full potential..." Technically you can. If you are willing to shell out some money, get an electrician if need be to set it up for you, then yes you could. Anyway, I know I'm kinda nit-picking there. But my whole point in posting this is to say that, if you have some money to burn, you can definitely put together a nice separate system that will far outperform a receiver. If money is an issue, then it may not be worth it too you, but to some it is, especially those that have speakers that are harder to drive and require a little more juice. There are some speakers where their potential really can't be tapped until you get them up to reference lvls. Now, I'm not saying their aren't some receivers that can drive these speakers, just not as well as the type of separate system I'm referring too. So, let me just conclude by saying that spearates are more expensive for several reasons, but mainly b/c they are catering to a different crowd then the receiver crowd, and this crowd expects a little more performance and they are willing to pay for it.
