2. amps-preamps
  3. 1057875457

Is adding a power amp to an A/V receiver worth it?

Is adding a high-quality power amp to a receiver-based system worth it? I've built my system gradually over the years and the receiver is now one of the weak links in my system relative to my source and speakers. I would like to put a high-quality power amp behind my front three speakers bypassing the receiver's amps, but I'm concerned I won't be getting the full benefit of a dedicated amplifier without a high-end dedicated pre/pro to feed it clean signals.

I'm happy with the receiver's features and would like to continue using it as my preamp/processor. However, I don't want to spend good money on an amp to have it strangled by a (relatively) mid-fi receiver upstream. As you can see from my system below, some components are in different "leagues" than others, but that's what can happen when you build a system over time. Overall, it's a very enjoyable system and I've taken the time to calibrate it properly. I use my system roughly 60/40% music/movies.

Can anyone comment on their experience with this dilemma?

My system:

Arcam FMJ CD23 cd player
Sony DVP-C600D dvd carousel
Technics SL-5 direct-drive turntable with Grado cartridge
RCA Hifi VCR
Sony GA-7ES ProLogic A/V receiver ("5.1 ready" and with preouts for the front 3 channels)
Hales Revelation Two main speakers (front L/R)
Hales Revelation Center (front center)
Snell SR.5 bipolar surrounds
Acoustic Research "high output" 8" sub (downfiring)
Sony KV-34XBR800 34" widescreen monitor
AudioQuest Coral interconnect (cd player)
AudioQuest Video 2 (vcr composite video)
MIT Terninator 5 interconnect (dvd player)
MIT Terminator 5 speaker cable (for fronts)
MIT S-Res S-video interconnect (for DVD)
Monster subwoofer interconnect
Monster HTS-2000 surge protector
Harmony SST-768 remote (great unit!)
Salamander Synergy Twin 30 equipment rack
john_z
dwudman
19 posts
 
Ditto on the above posts. By using a power amp your sound will be much improved. Also, since you have been patient in building your system, you can look forward to purchasing a quality pre/pro to eventually improve your system even more. I did just that. Bought a three channel B&K to run my fronts and center while using a Yamaha receiver. Eventually purchased a two channel Innersound amp for fronts while shifting the B&K to the rears. Then complimented the entire system by upgrading to a Classe' pre/pro. Viola! a wonderful system for music and movies.

Go for it. You'll be glad you did...
audiobugged
528 posts
 
Yes!!!

I use a Denon AVR-4800 for processing & for the fronts a Bryston 4B-ST THX. As I use this system for 2ch listening at times, I feel that this upgrade was worth every cent!
meech33
57 posts
 
Absolutely. I liked the way my fronts sounded being powered by my Sony DA3ES receiver. I added a Parasound HCA-1500a and all I can say is wow!!!! Can you say bass impact!! Although their are sonic benifits to a dedicated 2 channel Pre-amp, adding the power amp will give you a decent improvement.

good luck
picasso_04901
12 posts
 
By all means, I added a Lexicon NT512 to an Outlaw 1050 and am enjoying every minute. Likewise, when funds allow, a high quality pre/pro is on the horizon.
prd
13 posts
 
I guess I am in the minority here. I think the answer depends on where you want your system to be in a year or two, and how much you care about music vs. HT.

I added a Bryston 4BST to a mid-fi Onkyo receiver with the plan to add a separate preamp when funds permitted. My experience was that there was a noticeable, but relatively small, improvement (sound had a greater sense of ease, slightly more bass). However, it wasn't until I added a separate preamp that I noticed a big improvement. This is all in reference to music as I use my system for HT only rarely. If you take a long-term view and plan on continuing to upgrade your system, I think adding a power amp as you are thinking, then adding the preamp when you can, is a great idea. Just don't salivate over the expected improvement. Good luck.
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