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Amp/Preamps vs. High end AV Receivers

Hi,
I am sure this topic had been discussed exhaustively. I am new to this arena looking for some help to upgrade my Onkyo AV Receiver (135 w/channel). I am debating whether to the AV route or the AMP/Preamp combo. Naturally, I understand that I get what I pay for.

Would appreciate some inputs and suggestions regarding:
1. AMP/PREAMP combo route - 
2. AV route

I am not looking at a huge budget but a decent one. 

Thanks in advance
terrancej
jl35
4,144 posts
 
I find the amps in most AV Receivers quite lacking...
loomisjohnson
1,974 posts
 
you might try moving in stages by adding a separate power amp and using your avr as a pre--almost all mass market avrs benefit from external amping. you can always get a separate pre later.
geek101
284 posts
 
What are the speakers that you have or interested to power sufficiently?.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,088 posts
 
When you have separates, the equipment does not have to share power supplies. This reduces intermodulations and for that reason alone allows for better sound.

But there are additional benefits- frequently separates have better power supplies, better heatsinks (in the case of transistor amps), usually better quality parts and overall better circuits.

reubent
7,072 posts
 
What is the model of your current receiver?
What speakers are you using? How many? 2, 2.1, 5.1, etc.?
What percentage of your listening time is movies/TV vs Music?  50/50, 75/25, etc.?
Room size?
Do you need video switching form the receiver/separates?

This information will give folks a reasonable chance of addressing your questions. Without it, it's just shots in the dark.....
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