2. amps-preamps
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another rookie question - preamp or or power amp

I have a decent integrated amp ("decent" - to my ears). SS, 50Watts to 8 Ohms. It  has a preamp output. 

I have been looking at used power amps and preamps in the 2-400 dollar range.  

For example: the Parasound 2125 power amp, the Parasound P3

This is an OR question. Which choice will yield a better improvement,

1) if I put a preamp before my integrated so the integrated acts as the power amp

or 2) if I use my integrated as a preamp to a power amp?

It's also a choice to sell my integrated and save up until I can buy both a power amp and a preamp, but obviously I am itching to try one of the above options. 

My room is 15x13 so I am not sure I need a big power amp (big: 100Watts?)

 

grislybutter
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,029 posts
 

You dont mention your speakers then it is difficult to recommend an amplifier ...

By curiosity which are they ? 😊 Efficient one or not ?

Unlike many people i had reduce the size of my room and speakers and i had never been so happy , even if my soundstage is not as spectacular as in my past acoustic room this is satisfying and surprizingly clearer because my past speakers were old and i listened now in near listening field ...The small  active  modified speakers i own had other qualities compared to my past speakers...

Then downgrading is not necessarily loosing on all counts ...

 

 

 

 

grislybutter OP
3,005 posts
 

@mahgister Dynadio evokes

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,942 posts
 

Why not just upgrade to a better integrated? Parasound Hint for example. Or a Luxman. Hegel H190 is reasonably priced on a used market. You will probably get more bang for your buck that way. 

stuartk
2,782 posts
 

@grislybutter 

In this case, upgrading to a better (used) integrated makes the most ense to me.

 

 

 

grislybutter OP
3,005 posts
 

@audphile1 @stuartk

I thought separates were the better direction. But I understand the rationale.

My logic is, I am trying to upgrade one tiny step at a time. First I would get a better power amp or better preamp than what’s inside my current integrated, and then the other component. E.g. when my current integrated sells.

Right now, I couldn’t buy an integrated that’s a step up in any aspect, but $400 on the used market could buy me a decent power amp or preamp,

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