Are separates on borrowed time?

Ah, sorry, okay Iggle, that's an argument that's used by many, so you'll need to pardon me if I use it.  I'll drop my laptop out the equation in that case.  

So, receiver, CDP and speakers and I could lose the CDP, but I like the physical product and as the Onkyo has internet radio, Spotify, Last FM and Napster as well as the means to add other web sources I'm covered for source material.  Never seen a pair of actives deliver that right enough.

There seems to be a missaprehension that actives need a "non traditional" source".

EDIT - I'm looking at your post of 8.45, John.

Are less boxes 'better' or just 'different'?

I have heard systems that sound 'better' than my system on a quick listen. Then I go home, put a few CD tracks on and then realise why I spent how much I did on separates over the years.

If I could go back, looking in hind sight, I might have bought different separates but I would still have bought separates.

Well, established seperates are adapting as well. My Cambridge has a USB input, hardly revolutionary, but adapting yes. Very simple set up, minimal cabling . The new Sansui has an inbuilt dac section....... e.c.t. So If they continue to tweak this and that seperates will be around for a good while longer. 

As far as simplicity goes, I think my set up is just as user friendlty and minimalist as yours.

The AVIs require Two power cables, and a link cable dont they. And and optical feed from the ATV2 which also requires a power supply. Thats three power cables, one optical and a link.

Mine is 2 power cables, 1 USB and 2 speaker cables.

Hardly miles apart are they, my music  is controlled by an ipad wirelessly. 

Sound quality wise, its each to their own.

PS. I doubt David will agree 

Couldn't disagree more Max.  But each to their own.  I'm glad you like your new speakers.

Some people like minimalism and simplicity, and others like a whole den full of kit.

My mate embraces all modern technology, still doesnt stop him having a Full size tape deck, full size minidisk player, record player, cd player, DVD player, original ipod with dock, ipad plugged in via single jack, oh and an XBox 360 and playstation 2. laptop Aex....... Some active monitors and some floorstanding Misiions .... oh and a receiver. CRT tv screen. He has so many recordings of projects and regular music stored on different media that he always has a back up..... 

It doesnt matter how much companies market us with this supposed minimalistic  futuristic world we are supposed to be living in in Z years...... they are just selling stuff.

Some people like living surrounded by loads of rubbish theyve collected in their life. some dont.

I have a fairly minimListic set up, doesnt stop me having all my cd's on display,and its a lot. I likez to look at the covers and read when I am listening. just cause I own a laptop and Ipod should all my cds bee stored in the loft?

Hmm, behind on this one. But in response to Chebby's post (I thnik), I doubt anyone here wants to see the demise of separates, or manufacturers and dealers.

My own response re profits to David was merely ribbing, as I haven't a clue what any margins are, and as has been suggested, IF the focus did turn to actives, it could be even greater considering the reduction in material cost v the increase in sound quality...

However, I did highlight that choice has been to put it mildly, sparse. So saying "They would have taken over by now" is somewhat unfair.

I agree that they aren't really a space saver, other than an amplifier, and when the power cord and phono connector is considered are actually less easy to position.

But there is no doubting the technology. As I said, long-term I think (and hope) that wireless solutions will become available.

But as to wether the separates industry will disappear... No chance in my lifetime. Even if one tech takes over, there will still be demand for amps, cd players, vinyl, tubes, etc. Longer term, probably, but by then box-shaped actives will have been moved into the Science museum too.

If you dump the seperartes and go active you still need hardware to get them up and running. I can understand how people would like them as a lifestyle choice if your Apple advacates (like me) and/or your summoned by the thumb of WAF.

For me HiFi isn't about that even though i'm still toying with the active route. Its a hobby and i want to enjoy looking at the fruits of my labour, i also like sitting looking at what i have, swapping things around with new units or cable and even opening the things up for a hoover out!

If i went active (probably Adam) i'd still want boxes to play with, Dac Pre's and transports, all that faff is in me from a very early age, not sure i could shake it off that easily and more still, not sure i'd want too.

I think the Active/Passive debate is a bit old, and its just as easy to get something small, discrete and simple with a passive system. I had a T-Amp (the size of a fag packet) with a cheap CDP as the input and a pair of speaker cables. So thats Two speakers, two boxes with two power cables, two speaker cables and an interconnect.

The only convinience is that you only need to buy two boxes for your amp/speakers, you still need a source etc.

What gets on my EDITED is people who buy into a particular brand/type and then declare its the best thing ever. This goes for most stuff, not just the aformentioned brand.

And back to the OP, I dont think seperates will be going the way of the dodo any time soon, the lifestyle market has been taken over with HT setups, and most people who would have bought the budget WHF winners in the 80's now buy a Denon all-in-one as you can actually have it all in one box/two speakers, or an iPod Dock.

Hifi is an aspirational hobby, so people will always want the next best thing.

Box swapping is OCD.

I should know with what I keep swapping around (even Mr P would be impressed!), but on a purely personal note it hasn't particularly made me happier and confusion reigns. Amongst other set-ups my last stable one was Marantz CD6003/PM6003/Dali Lektor 1, wth occasional Focal 706V's thrown in. Loved it!, but then a nice redundancy payment at the beginning of the year changed things (I think it's called upgraditis).

I now have an all Rega system consisting of Rega Apollo (non-R)/Rega Brio-R/Rega RS1. Initially it blew me away; surprisingly good scale, amazing detail and presentation (restrained bass apart from the RS1's), it never misses a beat and everything turns on a sixpence, but now it makes my ears bleed. In between getting this set-up together, on a bit of a whim I bought the Marantz M-CR603 and initial impressions were kinda....WOW! Then I decided it didn't quite have the "detail" I was looking for, hence the Rega set-up (I like a highly detailed sound with some warmth, but the two are not necessarily compatible).

I very seriously considered the Arcam Solo Mini instead of the Rega kit. I would have had to have become re-acquainted with it is as it has been a long time since I've heard it. but I found it very impressive when I did. Because of the deals I found on the CDP and speakers I went down the Rega route instead.

So now I'm (almost) full circle back to my "one box" Marantz with my beloved Lektor's. Lot warmer, detailed (but not enough! lol), and very happy....until tomorrow!

good speakers those lektors sizzers! well made and all. 

Well of the three pairs I have they would be the last I'd sell.

They're on stands at the mo, but in the other room I had them wall-mounted which to me makes them sound better.