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The power rating for b is PMPO, the power rating for a is RMS, so my 2 examples above should have similar RMS power ratings, and also similar feature set and total price (around $400).
Without a long explanation, the difference is that you should buy choice A.
The mini system is for people who want convenience, don't have much room, and don't want to think.
Is the sound quality that different?
I listen to metal music, as well as classical (Beethoven, Brahms...).
The component receivers I saw seem to only have a 2-band EQ (bass+treble), while the micro hifis seem to have graphic-eq with presets. Right now I listen to music on my phone and on my laptop, and I really make use of the 5-10-band graphic EQs.
Is the sound quality that different?
I listen to metal music, as well as classical (Beethoven, Brahms...).
The component receivers I saw seem to only have a 2-band EQ (bass+treble), while the micro hifis seem to have graphic-eq with presets. Right now I listen to music on my phone and on my laptop, and I really make use of the 5-10-band graphic EQs.
I believe the idea is you are altering the sound of the music with EQ and most purists don't like that. My cousin had $5K sytem and that was back in 90's, he had like 20 band EQ but they were all set in the middle.
I have similar Sony sytem you linked too, it has independent volume for the sub and honestly that is about all you need IMO. In systems without sub you don't have that option if you want bass.
Is the sound quality that different?
I listen to metal music, as well as classical (Beethoven, Brahms...).
The component receivers I saw seem to only have a 2-band EQ (bass+treble), while the micro hifis seem to have graphic-eq with presets. Right now I listen to music on my phone and on my laptop, and I really make use of the 5-10-band graphic EQs.
There are all sorts of wonderful component combinations you could piece together, depending. And you don't have to spend a lot of money to get good sound. Buying one of the small systems in a box maybe simple, but you'll likely sacrifice sound quality.
Some people like to drag their stereos outside for backyard parties. They also want to be able to pull them apart in a few minutes in case of rain.
If you want to do that I think that choice B makes much more sense.
If your intention is not to move the stereo very often than choice A will give you much more flexibility.
Times have changed. For backyard parties I think you could now use powered Bluetooth speakers? Something like that. Or maybe just install some outdoor speakers.
I went to Fry's todaya and asked the "guy" there.
He said they dont have any stereo receivers neither CD-players. I saw 4 different stereo or 2CH receivers and 3 different CD players on the shelves, 2 rows away but according to him they did not have any.
He says those 5.1 receivers (like my first link) are for home theather only and they dont have a stereo mode, so when I conenct only 2 speakers then I will hear something missing.
He showed me 2 types of systems for music, one was a $1500 Bose system with small one-piece speaker, and also showed me those integrated ones (like the one in my last link)
Any comemnt on this?
The answer, buenos, lies in how you perceive music, listen to it, and what is important in the listening experience to you.
So it becomes a very personal situation within your budget.
What "works" for you in terms of convenience and audio/presentation qualities may be "awful" for another person.
Use you own ears for the music that you listen to and make your choice on what pleases you.
What you select is what you'll be listening to long after the salesman has gotten his paycheck for the day.
None of us on C-D ... or any other forum, for that matter ... hear music or value it's reproduction exactly as you do, hence we can only regale you with ravings about what works (or not) for us. But we're not the one spending the money or having to go home and listen to your audio system. Again, buy what sounds good to you.
Keep in mind that you don't listen to the "eye candy" and "bells and whistles" on the systems, you use your ears to listen to the system.
If having an equalizer or such gimmicks enhances your listening experience, so be it. If it doesn't add to your pleasure, then there's no need to buy such items.
I went to Fry's todaya and asked the "guy" there.
He said they dont have any stereo receivers neither CD-players. I saw 4 different stereo or 2CH receivers and 3 different CD players on the shelves, 2 rows away but according to him they did not have any.
He says those 5.1 receivers (like my first link) are for home theather only and they dont have a stereo mode, so when I conenct only 2 speakers then I will hear something missing.
He showed me 2 types of systems for music, one was a $1500 Bose system with small one-piece speaker, and also showed me those integrated ones (like the one in my last link)
Any comemnt on this?
You most certainly can use the 5.1 receivers in stereo mode. Nothing will be "missing." The guy at Frys doesn't know what he's talking about. Usually, on the 5.1 receivers, you have a range of options. You can set the mode to stereo, surround with five speakers, or four four speakers with a phantom center channel, etc. It depends on the particular brand and model, but I've never seen one that couldn't play just stereo. But if you simply have to have a receiver that just plays in stereo, I'm sure you can find those as well. Just search online.
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My cousin had $5K sytem and that was back in 90's, he had like 20 band EQ but they were all set in the middle. 
