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Amp Preamp Advice

I am fairly new to the forum and perhaps someone has already had this discussion. If so, please forgive me.

I currently have a Parasound Halo A23 amp, Parasound New Classic 2100 preamp, Marantz 8006 CD player which can also be used for streaming, and Focal Aria 926 speakers. Overall, the system sounds pretty good. But are we ever really completely satisfied with the sound? I have been considering various options to improve the sound quality-more depth and clarity, bigger soundstage, etc. and wanted to see if I could get some advice before I make another purchase. Here are some of the options that I have considered:

1) Upgrade to a Parasound A21 amp which will increase the watts from 125 to 250 and the amperage from 45 to 60. If I go with this option, I will eventually upgrade the preamp, probably to a Parasound P6.
2) Upgrade the preamp to either a Parasound P6 when some are back in stock or to a Musical Fidelity or NAD C165BEE now. I would keep my current amp at least for now.
3) Gift my current amp and preamp to my son to start his first "real" stereo system and purchase an integrated amp which would replace both my amp and preamp at the same time. I know that there is a whole conversation to be had about which are better separates or integrated. But the integrated amps that I am considering are the Parasound Hint 6, the Musical Fidelity M5si and the Musical Fidelity M6si. In a way, I feel that the first two might be lateral moves from where I currently am although they would increase my wattage slightly and probably give me a better DAC than I currently have. The last one is probably more than I wanted to pay for an integrated at the moment, but I might could swing down the road.

What do the people say who probably know infinitely more about building a good sound system than I do? Or should I go with my last option and just be content with what I have? Thank you for your responses.
bcool57
erik_squires
16,383 posts
 
One thing I've noticed with the Focal line is the imaging is hard to get right but sounds really full when you do.

Experiment with room acoustics by using pillows, cushions and comforters.  See if you like the results of placing them behind, between and to the sides of your speakers.  This will help you see if you want to invest in room acoustics next.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
1) Performance is not about watts, it is about sound quality.   
2) Separates at this price level are almost always far more expensive for what you get especially once the extra interconnect and power cord are factored in.  
Therefore:   
3) Your best idea is the integrated amp. Only, remember the first point, it is all about quality not quantity. The Raven Nighthawk is within your budget and with your 91.5dB sensitivity Focal speakers is plenty of power. We have used it with 87dB speakers. Volume, dynamics, bass response will not be a problem. Sound quality- imaging, depth, detail, truth of timbre- will be so much better than what you have now it will be hard to believe.   

Don't fall for the power/watts BS. Seriously. You have to hear it to believe it.
bcool57 OP
24 posts
 
When I replaced the Paradigm 70P speakers which I had owned for over 20 years a little over a year ago, I considered the Focal and Martin Logan Motion 40 because I had Focal in my car and really liked them. I do wish that I had been able to audition the ML's, but it was almost impossible today with very few audio stores still around.
knotscott's avatar
knotscott
996 posts
 
Don’t fall for the power/watts BS. Seriously. You have to hear it to believe it.


Thank you for saving me some typing! I’ve gone the gamut from 55wpc to 70wpc to 255 wpc to 150wpc to 100 wpc to 35 wpc and finally to 20 wpc, and every step sounded better to me on my system than the last. If I could afford 50wpc to 100wpc that sounded like my 20 wpc, I’d do it, but I much prefer the improved sound over just louder. Buy an amp because it sounds better, not specs better.

I've heard good things about the Vincent hybrid integrated amps, but have not heard one myself.
erik_squires
16,383 posts
 
I should have been more clear.  Placing Focals right is the first challenge and you should experiment, especially with the toe in.

The second part, room acoustics, is for after.
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