given the quality of serious modern hifi integrated amps i think one needs to be quite high (as in, very very high( on the hifi food chain for pre/power separates to show their sonic value over good quality integrateds from major, well respected brands ... wayyy higher than this op in his gear choices as stated
This must be a valid point. Having just browsed the two different websites of my usual local high end audio shops, I am finding that the current line up of integrated amps on offer [Moon, Naim, Macintosh, Arcam, Rotel,etc.] all have lower wattage specs then my kit.
Now I must admit that the actual science of the technology is beyond my lay comprehension. To me watts are watts and I thought that's what drives my speakers, generally speaking. Yes of course one will sound DIFFERENT than the other. I don't want to split hairs at this time.
To my original question, I want to upgrade my speakers. I do not, at this moment in time. want to upgrade my amp and pre. Will my current kit provide me with a decent improvement in sound, one that will justify the price of the speakers. Of course I will most likely upgrade the amp at some point.
I understand this is a rabbit hole of immense proportions and that by simply asking a question it will result in as many different responses as there are stars in the sky. I wish I understood the numbers on the spec sheets better but I do not. It all becomes rather confusing. Hence the quest for a somewhat simple answer to my question. Thankfully most of the responses have been along the lines of what I needed to hear.
My apologies if that comes across a bit angrily but it's frustrating when the majority of the responses are positive only to get the negative ones pop up and then I start to worry about my desire to upgrade my speakers at all without the prospect of having to spend $$$ on a new amp. But I asked, so I should accept it.
And...it's early....I'm just ingesting my first coffee, so there's that.