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

Also…. those in San Diego looking for used gear would do well to troll thru Stereo Unlimited from time to time… hundred or so used components at any given time

Not exactly Craigslist pricing…. but often close… and they consider offers….

I go to Stereo Unlimited once a month or so to clean records. And they do have a lot of nice used gear. I haven't approached them with an offer lower than the posted price, but good idea!

If you plan to get one good integrated amp and be done with it, an IA is a good option. If you figure to continue your journey to other levels, the move to separates makes the most sense to me. All of the best systems I’ve heard had separates. At a certain level the limitations of an integrated will typically become apparent at some point. (granted I haven’t heard all of them, or even the best of the modern ones, but the physical and electrical separation, along with separate power supplies is a benefit...at some point, it’s a benefit that can be heard) It really depends on how far you want to take things......which is often an unknown until you get there! 🙄😉

I haven't approached them with an offer lower than the posted price, but good idea!

That's hwo I wound up buying the SLP90 I alluded to, and he readily accepted the offer, so I think I should have low-balled him even more.  Ha ha.

the idea that separates are always better is just wrong

 

what matters is the quality of the parts

 

if you are on a limited budget lookat an integrated from a high end company

the nuprime ida8 is fantastic piece

Dave and troy

audio intellect NJ

40 year industry veterans