2. amps-preamps
  3. 174679-161025

Can it get better?

Seeking the advice of folks who have experienced significant gains when moving from an integrated amp to separate pre and power. I realize there are several threads on the topic but specifically, I’d be concerned about a lateral move in terms of sound quality while dishing out close to 2x what I purchased my integrated for. For example, my system consists of a Pass Labs Int-25 driving Harbeth Shl5+ 40th anniversaries. It’s a combination that gives coherent and smooth sound yet is quite resolving. 
Why change? For one, I would like to experiment with different power for the Harbeths and am intrigued by some of the class d options out there. The Pass was about 5k and some of the pre and power combinations I’m considering would push the cost north of 10k. There are a number of well designed preamps out there in the 5k range that I could see serving me for many years. Assuming good synergy with the power amp, is there good reason to believe that separates would sound significantly better than the little Pass which has system synergy built in? In what way? Or would I have to venture into a higher tier in terms of cost?

thanks for the advice

 Brian

voodoochillin
infection's avatar
infection
809 posts
 

@voodoochillin You do realise there are much better integrated amps than your pre/power considerations...

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voodoochillin OP
61 posts
 

@ghdprentice 

Thanks. I’m here to learn so feel free to go on. No pressure! 
At the moment I feel like tone and texture is where it needs to be. A lot of that is a function of the speakers but the amp is so transparent yet smooth it let’s a lot of detail get through. I think there could be an improvement in soundstage/imaging which is something I value. Instruments can sound small at times and so it would also be nice to have a greater sense of scale.   Sounds like separates could help.

voodoochillin's avatar
voodoochillin OP
61 posts
 

@infection 

I almost pulled the trigger on a Belles Virtuoso integrated which features a dual mono design 200w per side and an upgraded preamp that Mr. Belles feels like is some of his best work. $7.5. 

infection's avatar
infection
809 posts
 

@voodoochillin  get a possible end game integrated - Vitus SIA-030.

ghdprentice
7,496 posts
 

@voodoochillin

 

Interesting, the words you use. See if you are able to listen to a Audio Research VSi75. It is an integrated, but tubed. It offers warm midrange bloom, with great imaging and soundstaging.

I recently had a audio buddy over that commented my system had the best imaging he had heard… I hadn’t even thought of it… but it is outstanding… the natural… musical sound of ARC is incredible. For the time I was an audiophile Padawan I had heard ARC and been really impressed with their sound attributes. But out of my price range. However, today for $10K you can get a large chunk of the sound in an integrated.

My history includes living with Pass preamps / amps for 20 years / 35 years. The conversion from Pass to Audio Research has been one of the most transformative things that has happened to me. Pursuing high end audio all my life… having Audio Research Phonostages for 35 years… and preamps for 15, and now all Audio Research makes me realize I should have made this conversation earlier.

Today you can get a good slice of high detail, imaging, midrange bloom, warm organic sound from the VSi 75. When I drop by my audio dealer I alway listen to it. My system is over 10x in cost, so sounds better.. but for it’s price, it is amazing… to me.

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